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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



DRAMATIC READINGS FOR SCHOOLS 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



DRAMATIC READINGS 

FOR SCHOOLS 

A PRACTICE BOOK IN DRAMATICS 



BY 

MARION FLORENCE LANSING 



WeiD gorft 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1914 

All rights reserved 






Copyright, 1914, 
By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set up and electro typed. Published August, 1914. 



J. 8. Cashing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 
Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



AUG iai9l4 

©CI.A376962 



PREFACE 

^^ Oh ! give us once again the wishing-cap 
Of Fortunatus, and the invisible coat 
Of Jack the Giant-killer, Kobin Hood, 
And Sabra in the forest with St. George ! 
Tlie child, ivhose love is here, at least, doth reap 
One precious gain, that he forgets himself.^' 

— Wordsworth. 

Dramatic work in the schoolroom has no better 
justification than these wise words of the English 
poet. The child who forgets himself sets free his 
own personality, and opens his mind to influence 
and inspiration. Moreover, in throwing himself 
into a part, he drops his self-consciousness and 
enters into the experiences of others, always a 
valuable social and ethical lesson. This is the 
fundamental purpose of, and the chief reason for, 
the modern dramatic movement, which aims to 
carry the boy or girl beyond reading a story into 
living it, and beyond recitation into spontaneous 
action. To accomplish this purpose there is, in- 
deed, nothing like the donning of " wishing-cap " 
or " invisible coat." They have a magic influence 
which carries us beyond ourselves. 



Vi PREFACE 

To manage dramatic work so that it will pro- 
duce this effect is the teacher's problem, a problem 
which it is hoped this book w^ill help to solve. 
Children are naturally dramatic. They imitate, 
consciously or unconsciously, and welcome any 
chance to act out their own thoughts and feelings, 
or those of the characters about which they have 
been reading. With little children it is, indeed, 
"as if their whole vocation were endless imita- 
tion." For them, however, the work of dramatiza- 
tion must be suggested and carried out by book or 
teacher. As boys and girls grow older, the danger 
is that with prepared scenes and dialogues the parts 
will become as conventional as ordinary recitation. 
Dramatic work now should be done by them, not 
for them. When a child in the upper grades is 
given a dramatized story, with all the details of 
speech and action wrought out, he has been de- 
prived of one of the chief pleasures as well as 
benefits of dramatic work. The creative instinct 
has developed, along with the imitative, and it is 
the claim for distinction of the method set forth 
in this book that, without going beyond the reach 
of the child's ready accomplishment, it allows full 
play for both. Here we have stories from the best 
literature so arranged that they are ready for dram- 
atization, helps for boys and girls showing just how 
to go about it, notes for teachers giving hints as to 



¥ 



PREFACE Vii 

their greatest possible helpfulness in each particu- 
lar case, and a gradual progression of difficulty from 
the simplest dialogues and group conversations to 
a final dramatized story as a model. We have, 
also, a collection of classics for reading, selected 
for their vivid action and their perfection of plot 
and conversation. 

To the teacher and children who are ready to 
lend themselves to the joy of living out the stories 
they read, this collection should prove a valuable 
source and practice book. The illustrations, which 
catch the characters of the stories at the point of 
greatest dramatic interest, add suggestion from the 
artistic standpoint as well as lend beauty to the 
book. 

M. F. L. 

Cambridge, 1914. 



CONTENTS 

PART ONE 

PAGE 

How All the Animals tried to make jNIan ... 3 

Hans, the Shepherd Boy 7 

The Story that had no End 10 

The Brahman, the Tiger, and the Six Judges . . 14 

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey .... 21 

A Visit to the Water Babies .24 

The King of the Cats 28 

Fables in Verse 31 

The Boy who Wondered 36 

How THE Indian got Fire 45 

Prudent Hans 51 

Alice's Adventures with the Queens .... 55 

A Stone in the Road 66 

Mr. Wind and Madam Kain 71 

How A Girl Hid a Governor 79 

Helps for Dramatization 85 

PART TWO 

How England Found her King 99 

The Necklace of Truth . . . . . . . 109 

The Miller of the Dee 114 

The Just Judge . , 115 

Keeping Shop 124 

ix 



X CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A Boy's Friendship . . . » o . . . 132 

The Emperor's Bird's-nest . . . . . . 146 

When Rip Van Winkle Came Home .... 148 

Scenes from Pinocchio 154 

A Strange Visitor 173 

The Beggar's Daughter of Bethnal Green . . 183 

Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh . . 192 

Harmosan 198 

Washington and the Spy 200 

Helps for Dramatization 210 

PART THREE 

King John and the Abbot . . c . . . 219 
A play arranged for acting. 

XoTEs to Teachers 229 



DRAMATIC READINGS 

Pi\.RT ONE 




HOW ALL THE ANIMALS TRIED TO 
MAKE MANi 

An Indian Story 

All the animals sat around in a circle. There 
were Lion^ Bear^ Deer^ Sheep^ Owl^ Mole^ and 
all the rest; down to little Mouse^ who sat at the 
left of Lion. Coyote was there. He had called 
the council of the animals to tell them that it was 
time to make Man. 

^^We must make Man/^ said Coyote. ^^How 
shall we do it ?'' 

^^That is very simple/^ roared Lion. ^^Give him 
a mighty voice to frighten all the animals^ and 
strong pawS; and big sharp teeth. Then he will be 
master of the world. Never fear !^' And Lion gave 

1 See page 85 for Helps for Dramatization of the stories in 
Part One. 



4 DRAMATIC READINGS 

a deep rumbling laugh ^ which made the frightened 
little Mouse shrink away from him. 

^^Not at all/^ growled Bear. ^^It is perfectly 
ridiculous to have such a great voice. Half the 
time it frightens the prey so that it has time to get 
away and hide. Let this Man whom we are to make 
move quietly and swiftly. And let him have great 
strength to hold what he captures.'' 

'^But think/' interrupted Deer^ ^^how foolish he 
would look without antlers to fight with. I agree 
with Bear that there is no sense in giving him a 
roaring voice. I should pay less attention to his 
throat and more to his ears and eyes. Have his ears 
as sensitive as a spider's web, and his eyes like coals 
of fire." 

''Ba-a ! ba !" bleated Sheep. ''What is the use 
of antlers ? They always catch in thickets. You 
would do better to roll up the antlers into little 
horns on either side of the forehead. That will give 
his head weight and make him able to butt harder." 

''You animals have no brains/' interrupted 
Coyote. "You each want Man to be just like 
yourself. You might as well take one of your own 
children and call it Man. For my part, I know 
that I am not the best animal that can be made. 
Of course I wish him to have four legs like myself, 
and five toes. But Bear's toes spread out straight 
go that he can stand on two feet. That is a good 



HOW ALL THE ANIMALS TRIED TO MAKE MAN 5 

way. I want Man's toes to be spread out like 
Bear's/' 

^^Yes, yes/' said Bear, ^^give him toes like mine." 

^^Then, too, Man had better have no tail/' con- 
tinued Coyote, ^^for tails are only good for fleas to 
ride on. He may have a voice like Lion's, but he 
need not roar all the time. As to giving him thick 
hair, that would be a burden. Look at Fish. He 
is naked, and is comfortable under the hottest sun. 
So I want Man's skin to be like the skin of Fish. 
As to claws, they should be like Eagle's, so that he 
can carry things. Deer's eyes and ears are good, 
and his throat, too. So I would make Man with 
ears and eyes and throat like Deer's. Then there 
is one more thing. No animal besides myself has 
wit enough to rule the world. So I must give Man 
some of my own wit, making him crafty and cunning 
and wise like me." 

^^Well, well," said Beaver, ^Hhere has been a great 
deal of foolish talk here, but no one has spoken of 
one very important thing. How could Man live 
without a good broad tail ? How could he haul 
mud and sand to build his house without a tail to 
carry it on ? " 

^^And I," said the Owl, ^Hhink you are perfectly 
senseless not to think of giving him wings. I can- 
not see what use anything on earth would be without 
wings." 



6 DRAMATIC READINGS 

''Pu-u-u!'' sniffed Mole. ''It is senseless to 
have wings. They bump you against the sky. And 
eyes are useless^ too. The sun only burns them. 
It would be better to give Man a soft fur, and let 
him cuddle down in the moist, cool earth.'' 

''Living in the earth is the worst nonsense of 
all/' called out Mouse in a funny, squeaky little 
voice. "He will have to creep into the sunshine 
to get warm. And he needs eyes to see what he is 
eating." 

" Oo-reech-oo ! " shrieked Screech Owl. 

Coyote spoke sharply, saying : " Stop your screech- 
ing. You may all go home. I will make Man 
myself." 

Then the animals began to quarrel, and the council 
broke up. 

Each animal cried, "I'll make Man myself," and 
they all rushed quarrelling and snapping to the clay 
bank. Each began to model a figure. 

At sundown they stopped to sleep, all but Coyote. 
He went on working. When he saw that they were 
all asleep, he went among the models of the other 
animals and destroyed every single one. Then he 
returned to his own figure and worked steadily. 
Gradually the clay took shape. When the figure 
was finished. Coyote looked at it and saw that it 
was such a Man as he had pictured. Then Coyote 
said, "Let this figure live and be a Man." 



HANS, THE SHEPHERD BOY 7 

HANS, THE SHEPHERD BOY 
I. Hans and the Hunter 

Hans was a little shepherd boy^ who went every 
day with his flock to a great wood. One day a 
hunter came by and spoke to him. The man was 
in the fields^ far from any road^ and had plainly lost 
his way. 

^^Here^ boy/' he called. ^^How far is it to the 
nearest town?'' 

^^It is six miles, sir/' answered Hans. ^^But the 
road is only a wood path. You might not be able 
to find it." 

^^Show me the way/' said the hunter, ^^and I will 
pay you well." 

^^I cannot/' said Hans, shaking his head. ^^I 
cannot leave my sheep. They would stray away 
into the wood, and the wolves might get them." 

^^But I will pay you well. If one or two sheep 
are eaten, I w^ill pay for them. I must find my way 
out of this wood, and at once." 

^^No; sir, I cannot go. I will tell you the way as 
well as I can. But the sheep are my master's. If 
they are lost, I should be to blame." 

^^I have it," said the hunter. ^^Can you not get 
me a guide ? Let me take care of your sheep, while 
you are gone for one." 

''No, sir," said Hans. ''I cannot do that. The 
sheep do not know your voice." 



DRAMATIC READINGS 




Hans and the Hunter 



HAXS, THE SHEPHERD BOY 9 

He stopped as though he had started to say some- 
thing more and changed his mind. 

^^See here; lad^ do you not trust me?'' said the 
hunter. 

^^ You tried to make me break my word to my mas- 
ter/' said HanS; reluctantly. ^^How can I be sure 
that you would stay and care for my sheep ?" 

^^You are right/' said the hunter^ laughing. ^^I 
wish I could trust my servants as you can be trusted. 
But come, show me the path; and I will try to find 
my way alone." 

II. The Hunter turns out to be the Prince 

Just then several men came hastening out of the 
wood. 

^^My lord; my lord/' cried one. ^^We thought 
you lost." 

^' Ah, we have found you. Sir Prince/' said another. 
^^We had feared for you." 

So Hans knew that the man with whom he had 
been talking was his Prince. He was frightened 
and fell on his knees before him. 

^^ Indeed; sir, I meant no harm/' he said. ^^I 
knew not that you were our Prince." 

^^Hans/' said the Prince, smiling and putting his 
hand on the boy's shoulder, ^^any prince w^ould 
be glad of so trustworthy a subject. Before many 
days I shall ask your master to let you come and 
serve me as loyally as you have served him." 



10 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE STORY THAT HAD NO END 

I. The King's Wish 

Once upon a time there was a King who was very- 
fond of stories. He would sit by the hour Hstening 
to storieS; and yet he was never satisfied. The 
more he heard; the more he wanted to hear. So he 
grieved that every story had an end. 

^^If some one would only tell me a story that had 
no end; how happy I should be/' he said one night. 
'^Here! I am a King, and should have what I 
want. Let a story-teller be found who knows a 
story that has no end.'' 

^^But; your Majesty/' said his Prime Minister^ 
^^there never could be a story without an end." 

^^ There must be a story without an end; for I 
wish it;" said the King. ^^Let word be given out 
that if a man will tell me such a story; I will make 
him my heir; and give him my daughter the Princess, 
and half the kingdom besides. I am tired of these 
tales that are always coming to an end. If any one 
tries and failS; he shall be thrown into prison." 

II. What the Story Was 

So word was sent out that all story-tellers should 
try to find a story without an end to tell to the King. 
Many came to take their turn ; and some of the stories 
they told were very; very long. They lasted hours, 



THE STORY THAT HAD NO END 11 

and weekS; and even a month. But they all came to 
an end. So all the story-tellers were led away to 
prison, and the King was quite discouraged. 

At last a man came who said, ^^I can tell a story 
that will last forever, if the King will be pleased to 
give me a trial.'' 

^^No, no, do not try/' the Prime Minister warned 
him. 

^^I shall have to take you to my prison very soon/' 
said the jailer, ^^and there are so many there now. 
What a pity it is !" 

^^No," said the man. ^^I am not afraid." 

So they told the King that a man was without, 
who wished to tell him his story. 

^^What does he look like ?" asked the King, 

^^He is only a farmer, but he looks like a bright 
fellow," said the Prime Minister. 

^^Well, his story can but end, like all the rest/' 
said the King. ^^ Bring him in." 

So the man was brought in, and as soon as he came 
in the door, he began with his story. 

^^Your Majesty," he said, ^Hhere was once a 
farmer who had some land. At first he had only a 
small piece, near his house. Then he worked on that 
until he had money to buy more, and at last he 
bought a second field and a third, until finally he 
owned the whole countryside. And when it came 
spring each year, he went out and plowed his land." 



12 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



^^Yes/' said the King. ^^And what happened 
then? This story sounds as if it would end soon/' 

^^No, your Majesty/^ said the man. ^^I told. you 
that he plowed his land. But next he went out 




to sow his seed. And he walked along the furrows, 
and he sowed one seed, and another seed, and an- 
other. Then he dropped another seed, and another, 
and another, and still another seed, and another, 
and another, and yet another seed, and a seed, and 



THE STORY THAT HAD NO END 13 

another seed^ and another seed, and still another, and 
another, and — ^^ 

^'Here, here/' cried the King, ^^what did he do 
next?'' 

^^He dropped another seed, and another, and 
another, and — " 

^^Come, now, we have had enough seeds sown. 
What next?" 

^^If it please your Majesty," said the story-teller, 
^4t is a true story that I am telling, and I cannot 
change it. What he did next was to drop another 
seed, and another, and another, and — " 

^^But did he never get through sowing seed?" 
inquired the King, impatiently. 

^^I do not know, your Majesty," replied the man. 
^^You see I told you he owned the whole country- 
side, and we have only one tiny corner covered with 
seed now, and by the time we get through he may 
have bought more land. So I doubt, your Majesty, 
if the farmer's story ever comes to an end, but if we 
keep on, we may find it, for he dropped another seed, 
and another and — " 

^^Man, that is enough !" cried the King. ^^Take 
my daughter, take the half of my kingdom, take 
anything — only let me hear no more of these seeds 
which dropped, another, and another — " 

'^Very well. Sir King," replied the story-teller, 
^^only you wanted a story that had no end, and 



14 DRAMATIC READINGS 

mine may have one. I do not know, but I will 
find out if you listen to me and^ we do it long enough/^ 
^^Man/^ cried the King, ^^I have learned to be 
thankful for one thing, as I never was before — 
that all stories have an end.'' 



THE BRAHMAN, THE TIGER, AND THE SIX 
JUDGES 

I. At the Cage 

Once upon a time a Brahman, who was walking 
along the road, came upon an iron cage in which a 
great Tiger had been shut up by the people of the 
village who had caught him. 

As the Brahman passed by, the Tiger called out 
and said to him, ^^ Brother Brahman, Brother Brah- 
man, have pity on me, and let me out of this cage 
for one minute only to drink a little water, for I am 
dying of thirst.'^ 

The Brahman answered, ^^No, I will not ; for if 
I let you out of the cage, you will eat me.'' 

^'Oh, father of mercy,'' answered the Tiger, '^in 
truth that I will not. I will never be so ungrateful. 
Only let me out that I may drink some water and 
return." 

Then the Brahman took pity on him and opened 
the cage door. But no sooner had he done so than 



THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 15 

the Tiger^ jumping out; said, ^^Now I will eat you 
first and drink the water afterwards/^ 

But the Brahman said; ^^ No, do not kill me hastily. 
Let us first ask the opinion of six^ and if all of them 
say it is fair and just that you should put me to 
death; then I am willing to die/' 

^^Very well/' answered the Tiger, '4t shall be as 
you say. We will first ask the opinion of six/' 

II. The Banyan Tree 

So the Brahman and the Tiger walked on till they 
came to the Banyan Tree ; and the Brahman said 
to it; ^^ Banyan Tree; Banyan Tree; hear and give 
judgment." 

^^On what must I give judgment?" asked the 
Banyan Tree. 

^^This Tiger;" said the BrahmaU; ^^ begged me to 
let him out of his cage to drink a little water; and he 
promised not to hurt me if I did so ; but now that 
I have let him out; he wishes to eat me. Is it just 
that he should do sO; or not ?" 

The Banyan Tree answered: ^^Men often come 
to take shelter in the cool shade under my boughs 
from the scorching rays of the sun ; but when they 
have rested; they cut and break my pretty branches 
and scatter my leaves. Let the Tiger eat the maU; 
for men are an ungrateful race." 

At these words the Tiger would have instantly 



16 DRAMATIC READINGS 

killed the Brahman ; but the Brahman said, ^^ Tiger, 
Tiger, you must not kill me yet, for you promised 
that we should first hear the judgment of six/' 

III. The Camel 

^^Very well,'' said the Tiger, and they went on 
their way. After a little while they met a Camel. 

^^ Friend Camel, Friend Camel,'^ cried the 
Brahman, ^^hear and give judgment." 

^^On what shall I give judgment?" asked the 
Camel. 

The Brahman told again how the Tiger had begged 
him to open the cage door, and promised not to eat 
him if he did so ; and how he had afterwards deter- 
mined to break his word, and asked if that were 
just or not. 

The Camel replied: ^^When I was young and 
strong, and could do much work, my master took 
care of me and gave me good food. But now that 
I am old and have lost all my strength in his service, 
he overloads me and starves me and beats me with- 
out mercy. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are 
an unjust and cruel race." 

The Tiger would then have killed the Brahman, 
but the latter said, ^^Stop, Tiger, for we must first 
hear the judgment of six." 



THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 17 

IV. The Bullock 

So they both went again on their way. At a 
Uttle distance they found a Bullock lying by the 
roadside. The Brahman said to him: ^^ Brother 
Bullock^ Brother Bullock^ hear and give judg- 
ment.^' 

^^On what must I give judgment ?'' asked the 
Bullock. 

The Brahman answered: ^^I found this Tiger in 
a cage; and he prayed me to open the door and let 
him out to drink a little water^ and promised not to 
kill me if I did so. But when I had let him out^ he 
resolved to put me to death. Is it fair he should 
do so, or not ?'' 

The Bullock said : ^^ When I was able to work, my 
master fed me well and tended me carefully, but 
now that I am old, he has forgotten all I did for him, 
and left me by the roadside to die. Let the Tiger 
eat the man, for men have no pity.'' 

Three out of six had given judgment against the 
Brahman, but still he did not lose hope, though it 
was hard to persuade the Tiger to wait for the other 
three. 

V. The Eagle 

They next met an Eagle, to whom the Brahman 
cried, ^^0 Eagle, great Eagle, hear and give judg- 
ment. " 



18 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^On what must I give judgment?'' asked the 
Eagle. 

The Brahman stated the case^ but the Eagle 
answered : ^^ Whenever men see me^ they try to shoot 
me; they climb the rocks and steal away my little 
ones. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are the 
persecutors of the earth.'' 

Then the Tiger began to roar, and said, ^'The 
judgment of all is against you, Brahman." 

But the Brahman answered, ^^Stay yet a little 
longer, for two others must first be asked." 

VI. The Alligator 

After this they saw an Alligator, and the Brahman 
related the matter to him, hoping for a more favorable 
answer. 

But the Alligator said : ^^ Whenever I put my nose 
out of the water, men torment me and try to kill me. 
Let the Tiger eat the man, for as long as men live 
we shall have no rest." 

VII. The Jackal, and Back to the Cage 

The Brahman gave himself up as lost ; but again 
he prayed the Tiger to have patience and let him ask 
the opinion of a sixth judge. Now the sixth was a 
Jackal. The Brahman told his story, and said to 
him, ^^ Uncle Jackal, Uncle Jackal, say what is your 
judgment." 



THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 19 

The Jackal answered : ^^It is impossible for me to 
decide who is in the right and who is in the wrong 
unless I see the exact position in which you were 
when the dispute began. Show me the place/' 

So the Brahman and the Tiger returned to the 
place where they first met; and the Jackal went 
with them. When they got there, the Jackal said, 
^^Now, Brahman, show me exactly where you 
stood.'' 

^^Here/' said the Brahman, standing by the iron 
cage. 

^^ Exactly there, was it ?" asked the Jackal. 

^^ Exactly here," replied the Brahman. 

^^ Where was the Tiger, then?" asked the Jackal. 

^^In the cage," answered the Tiger. 

^^How do you mean?" asked the Jackal; ^^how 
were you within the cage ? Which way were you 
looking?" 

^^Why, I stood so," said the Tiger, jumping into 
the cage, ^^and my head was on this side." 

^^Very good," said the Jackal. ^^But I cannot 
judge without understanding the whole matter 
exactly. Was the cage door open or shut?" 

^^Shut and bolted," said the Brahman. 

^^Shut and bolt it," said the Jackal. 

When the Brahman had done this, the Jackal 
said: ^^ Oh, you wicked and ungrateful Tiger. When 
the good Brahman opened your cage door, was the 



20 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



only return you would make, to eat him ? Stay 
there, then, for the rest of your days, for no one will 
ever let you out again. Proceed on your journey, 
friend Brahman. I believe your road lies that way 
and mine this.'' 




So saying, the Jackal ran off in one direction, 
before the Brahman had time to speak his words of 
gratitude, and the Brahman went rejoicing on his 
way in the other. 

But the Tiger, when he was left alone, said, 
^^And I forgot to get my drink of water when 
I was out.'' 



THE MAN, THE BOY, AND THE DONKEY 21 

THE* MAN, THE BOY, AND THE DONKEY 

I. The Boy Rides 

A MAN and his son were once going with their 
donkey to market. As they were walking along by 
its side, a countryman passed them, and said : 

^^You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride 
upon?'^ 

^^That is true,'' said the man. 

^^I had not thought of that,'' said the boy. 

^^ You shall be the one to ride," said the man, and 
put the boy on the donkey. 

They went on their way. But soon they passed 
a group of men, one of whom said : 

^^See that lazy youngster. He lets his father walk 
while he rides." 

^^What is the world coming to?" said another. 
^^ There is no reverence for age any longer." 

^^That is so," said the man, who overheard the 
words, to the boy. ^^ I had not thought of that. It is 
certainly very disrespectful of you to ride, while your 
father goes along on foot." 

^^Very well," said the boy. ^^I will get off, and 
you shall ride." 

II. The Man Rides 

So the boy got off and the man mounted the 
donkey and they went on their way. But they had 



22 DRAMATIC READINGS 

not gone far when they passed two women, one of 
whom said to the other : 

^^ Shame on that lazy man to let his poor little 
son trudge along while he rides.'' 

^'Yes/' said the other. ^^Men are so lazy, but 
you would think he would take some thought for 
his own boy.'' 

^^That is so/' said the man, who overheard their 
words. ^^I had not thought of that. It is a shame 
for an able-bodied man like me to ride, while a little 
fellow like you walks." 

^^But what shall we do?" asked the boy. 

^'I don't know," said the man. '^Yes, I do. I 
tell you. We will both ride. Get up here behind 
me." 

III. Both Ride 

So the boy got up behind his father, and they went 
on their way. By this time they had come to the 
town, however, and the passers-by began to stare 
and point at them. The man stood it as long as he 
could. Then he stopped and asked what they were 
laughing at. 

The men said: ^^What a question! Aren't you 
thoroughly ashamed of yourself for overloading that 
poor old donkey of yours ? You, a big, heavy fel- 
low, and that great boy of yours !" 



THE MAN, THE BOY, AND THE DONKEY 23 




IV. The Donkey Rides 



The man and the boy got off and tried to think 
what to do. They thought and thought ^ till at last 
they cut down a long pole^ tied the donkey's feet to 
it, raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders, 
and in this strange fashion proceeded. 

They went along amid the laughter of all who met 
them till they came to the market bridge, when the 
donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and 
caused the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the 



24 DRAMATIC READINGS 

struggle the donkey fell over the bridge, and, his 
forefeet being tied together, he was drowned. 

^.^That will teach you/^ said an old man who had 
followed them: ^^ Please all, and you will please 
none.'' 



A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES 
I. Tom, a Water Baby 

Tom had been changed from a chimney sweep 
into a water baby. He had a beautiful time, but 
carried over some of his naughty ways with him. 
He frightened the crabs and put stones in the anem- 
ones' mouths, and meddled with all the creatures. 

^^You mustn't do that," the other water babies 
warned him, w^hen they saw him doing these things. 

^^ Take care," they said again. '' Mrs. Be-done-by- 
as-you-did is coming." 

II. When Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did Came 

But Tom never heeded them, till one Friday morn- 
ing early Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did came. A 
very tremendous lady she was ; and when the chil- 
dren saw her, they all stood in a row, very upright 
indeed, and smoothed down their bathing dresses 
and put their hands behind them. And she had 
on a black bonnet, and a black shawl, and a pair of 



A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES 



25 



large green spectacles ; and under her arm she 
carried a birch rod. Indeed she was so ugly that 
Tom was tempted to make faces at her^ but did not, 
for he did not admire the look of the birch rod. 




And she looked at the children one by one, and 
seemed very much pleased with them, though she 
never asked one question about how they were be- 
having. She began giving them all sorts of nice 
sea things to eat, — sea cakes, sea apples, sea 
oranges, and to the very best of all she gave sea ices. 

Now little Tom watched all these sweet things 
given away till his mouth watered, and his eyes grew 



26 DRAMATIC READINGS 

as round as an owl's. For he hoped that his turn 
would come at last ; and so it did. For the lady 
called him up^ and held out her fingers with some- 
thing in them; and popped it into his mouth ; and 
lo ! and behold^ it was a nasty^ cold; hard pebble. 

^^You are a very cruel woman/' said he; and be- 
gan to whimper. 

^^And you are a very cruel boy; who put pebbles 
into the sea anemones' mouthS; to take them in and 
make them fancy that they had caught a good 
dinner ! As you did to them; so I must do to you/' 

'^Who told you that ?'' said Tom. 

^^You did yourself; this very minute.'' 

Tom had never opened his lips ; so he was very 
much taken aback indeed. 

^^ Yes ; every one tells me exactly what they have 
done wrong; and that without knowing it them- 
selves. So there is no use trying to hide anything 
from me. Now go and be a good boy; and I will put 
no more pebbles into your mouth; if you put none 
into other creatures'.'' 

^^I did not know there was any harm in it;" said 
Tom. 

^^Then you know now. People continually say 
that to me ; but I tell them; if you don't know that 
fire burnS; that is no reason why it should not burn 
you. And sO; if you do not know that things are 
wrong; that is no reason why you should not be 



A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES 27 

punished for them ; though not as much^ not as 
much^ my Httle man '^ [and the lady looked very 
kindly^ after all] ^^ as if you did know/' 

^^Well; you are a little hard on a poor lad/' said 
Tom. 

^^Not at all ; I am the best friend you ever had in 
your life. But I will tell you ; I cannot help punish- 
ing people when they do wrong. I am often very, 
very sorry for them, poor things. I like it no more 
than they do ; but I cannot help it. If I tried not 
to do it, I should do it all the same. For I work by 
machinery, just like an engine ; and am full of wheels 
and springs inside ; and am wound up very carefully, 
so that I cannot help going.'' 

^^Was it long ago that they wound you up?" 
asked Tom. 

^^I was wound up once and for all, so long ago that 
I forget all about it." 

^^Dear me," said Tom, '^you must have been made 
a long time !" 

^^I never w^as made, my child; and I shall go on 
forever and forever ; for I am as old as Eternity, 
and yet as young as Time." 

And there came over the lady's face a very curious 
expression, very solemn, and yet very sweet ; and 
she looked up and away, as if she were gazing at 
something far off. And as she did so, there came such 
a quiet, tender, patient, hopeful smile over her face 



28 DRAMATIC READINGS 

that Tom thought for the moment that she did not 
look ugly at all. And Tom smiled into her face. 

^^Yes/' she said. ^^You thought me very ugly 
just noW; did you not ?'^ 

Tom hung down his head. 

^^And I am very ugly. I am the ugliest fairy in 
the world ; and I shall be till people behave them- 
selves as they ought to do. And then I shall grow 
as handsome as my sister^ who is the loveliest fairy 
in the world. Her name is Mrs. Do-as-you-would- 
be-done-by. So she begins where I end, and I 
begin where she ends ; and those who will not listen 
to her must listen to me. Now all of you run away.'' 
* Charles Kingsley, Water Babies. 



THE KING OF THE CATS 
I. In the Afternoon 

Many years ago there lived in the north of Scot- 
land, in a very lonely place far from all other houses, 
two young men who were brothers. An old woman 
used to do their cooking, and there was no one else, 
unless we count her cat and their dogs, within miles 
of them. 

One afternoon the younger of the two said to his 
brother, ^^Are you going out with me this afternoon ? '' 

^^ Shooting again ?^' inquired the elder. 



THE KING OF THE CATS 29 

"Yes, we must lay in our winter's store of meat/' 

"My ankle is lame, front my twisting it yesterday. 
I think perhaps I will stay by the fire to-day and 
let you go alone.'' 

"Do/' said the younger. "I'll follow the path 
where we went yesterday and surely be home by 
sunset." 

"Good luck to you/' said his brother as the young 
man started with his gun over his shoulder. 

"And a good rest to you/' he responded, and was 
gone. 

II. In the Evening 

The afternoon passed. Darkness fell, and still 
the young man did not return. His brother became 
more and more uneasy. He laid out their simple 
supper, and the hunter did not come. Long after 
their usual supper time he returned, wet and ex- 
hausted. At first he did not explain why he was so 
late. But after supper, when the two brothers were 
seated by the fire, the dogs lying at their feet, and 
the old woman's black cat sitting gravely by on 
the hearth, the young man began to tell his story. 

"You must be wondering," said he, "what made 
me so late." 

"Yes, I feared you were hurt," said his brother. 

"No, but I had a very strange adventure; I 
hardly know what to say about it. I went, as I 



30 DRAMATIC READINGS 

told you I should; along our yesterday's route^ A 
mountain fog came on just as I was about to turn 
homeward; and I completely lost my way. I wan- 
dered about for a long time, not knowing where I 
was, till at last I saw a light; and made for it; hoping 
to get help/' 

^^A light! up in the mountain!'' exclaimed his 
brother. 

^^YeS; I could not understand it; especially because 
when I came near; it disappeareci; and I found myself 
halted by a great oak tree. I climbed into its 
branches to look for the light; and behold ! there it 
was right under me; inside the hollow trunk of the 
tree." 

^^A light in the trunk of a tree !'/ 

^^I seemed to be looking down into a church where 
a funeral was going on. I heard singing; and saw a 
coffin surrounded with torcheS; all carried by — 
But there ! I know you won't believe me if I tell 

you." 

^^Go OU; man; go on!" exclaimed his brother. 
^^Are you going to stop there?" 

The dogs were sleeping quietly; but the cat was 
sitting up and seemed to be listening as carefully and 
attentively as the men. Both brothers found them- 
selves watching the cat as the young man took up 
the story. 

^^YeS;" he continued; ^^it is as true as I sit here. 



FABLES IN VERSE 31 

The coffin and the torches were both carried by cats, 
and upon the coffin was marked a crown and a 
sceptre/' 

He got no further, for the black cat started up, 
shrieking, ^^Good gracious! old Peter's dead, and 
I'm King of the Cats !" With that he leaped out 
the window and was seen no more. 



FABLES IN VERSE 
A Wasp and a Bee 

A WASP met a bee that w^as just buzzing by, 
And he said, ^^ Little cousin, can you tell me why 
You are lov'd so much better by people than I ? 

'^My back shines as bright and as yellow as gold; 
And my shape is most elegant, too, to behold ; 
Yet nobody likes me for that, I am told." 

"Ah, cousin," the bee said, "'tis all very true, 
But if I were half as much mischief to do. 
Indeed they would love me no better than you. 

"You have a fine shape and a delicate wing. 

They own you are handsome, but then there's one 

thing 
They cannot put up w4th, and that is your sting. 



32 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^My coat is quite homely and plain^ as you see, 
Yet nobody ever is angry with me. 
Because I'm a himible and innocent bee.'' 

From this Httle story, let people beware, 
Because, like the wasp, if ill-natured they are, 
They will never be loved, if they're ever so fair. 

How TO GET Breakfast 

Said the first little chick 
With a queer little squirm, 

"I wish I could find 
A fat little worm.'' 

Said the next little chick. 

With an odd little shrug, 
"I wish I could find 

A fat little bug." 

Said the third little chick, 

With a shrill little squeal, 
^^I wish I could find 

Some nice yellow meal." 

Said the fourth little chick, 
With a small sigh of grief, 

^^I wish I could find 
A little green leaf." . 



FABLES IN VERSE 33 

^^See here/' called the hen, 

From the near garden patch, 
^^If you want any breakfast, 

Just come here and scratch.'' 



The Wren and the Hen 

Said a very small wren 

To a very large hen, 
'^Pray why do you make such a clatter ? 

I never could guess 

Why an egg more or less 
Should be thought so important a matter." 

Then answered the hen 

To the very small wren, 
^^If I laid such small eggs as you, madam, 

I should not cluck so loud. 

Nor should I feel proud. 
Look at these ! How you'd crow if you had 'em." 

The Ant and the Cricket 

A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing 

Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer 

and spring. 
Began to complain, when he found that at home 
His cupboard was empty and winter was come. 



34 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Not a crumb to be found 
On the snow-covered ground ; 
Not a flower could he see. 
Not a leaf on a tree. 



^^Oh, what will become/' says the cricket^ ^^of me ?'^ 

At last by starvation and famine made bold; 

All dripping with wet and all trembling with cold; 

Away he set off to a miserly ant 

To see if; to keep him alive; he would grant 

Him shelter from rain. 

A mouthful of grain 

He wished only to borrow. 

He'd repay it to-morrow ; 
If not helped; he must die of starvation and sorrow. 

Says the ant to the cricket: ^^I'm your servant 

and friend; 
But we ants never borroW; we ants never lend. 
Pray; tell me; dear sir; did you lay nothing by 
When the weather was warm?'' Said the cricket, 
^^Notl. 

My heart was so light 

That I sang day and night; 

For all nature looked gay." 

^^You sang; sir; you say? 
Go theU;" said the ant; ^^and sing winter away." 



FABLES IN VERSE 35 

Thus ending^ he hastily Hfted the wicket 

And out of the door turned the poor httle cricket. 

Though this is a fable, the moral is good — 

If you live without work, you must live without food. 

The Mountain and the Squirrel 

The mountain and the squirrel 
Had a quarrel, 
And the former called the latter, ^^ Little prig !'' 

Bunn replied, 
^^ You are doubtless very big, 
But all sorts of things and weather 
Must be taken in together 
To make up a year, 
And a sphere ; 
And I think it no disgrace 
To occupy my place. 

If I'm not as large as you, 
You are not so small as I 
And not half so spry ; 
I'll not deny you make 
A very pretty squirrel track. 

Talents differ ; all is well and wisely put : 
If I cannot carry forests on my back. 
Neither can you crack a nut.'' 

Ralph Waldo Emerson. 



36 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE BOY WHO WONDERED 

I. The Neighbor's News 

Once upon a time there was a man who had three 
sons, Peter, Paul, and Jack. But he had nothing 
else in the world except the poor old hut where they 
lived, not one single penny. Every day he went out 
and worked for the bread which he and his boys 
should eat, and he told his sons over and over again 
that when they were old enough, they must go out 
to seek their fortunes, for at home they would starve 
to death. 

One evening a neighbor came in, who had heard 
this talk about sending the boys out into the world. 

^'Why don't you send your boys out on this busi- 
ness of the King's ?'' asked he, of the father. 

^^What business?'' said the father. 

^^ Where?" said Jack. He was the brightest and 
most attractive of the three, and was always eager 
to do any new thing. 

^^Did you not hear the proclamation that was 
given out in all the churches and read at the market 
to-day?" asked the neighbor. 

^^No," replied Peter, sullenly, ^^we were working 
with father in the fields and could not go to 
market." 

^^But what about the King ?" asked Jack, eagerly. 

^^A huge oak has grown up beside his windows. 



THE BOY WHO WONDERED 37 

It is SO tall now that it shuts out all the sunlight 
from the rooms.'' 

^^Then why does he not have it cut down?'' in- 
quired the father. 

'^^That is just what he wants to have done/' re-* 
plied the neighbor. ^^But it is not so easy as it 
sounds. Many have tried, but no man can cut the 
tree down. As fast as one branch is cut off, two grow 
in its place. When one chip is hacked away, im- 
mediately there are two to replace it. So the King 
has offered a chest of gold pieces to the man who 
will cut it down." 

^^I'd like to see the tree that I couldn't cut down," 
said Peter, boastfully. 

^^Orl," said Paul. 

But little Jack was silent, though his eyes sparkled. 

^^Then go and get the chest of gold," replied the 
neighbor. ^^It is a wonderful chance to win your 
fortunes." 

^a will," said Peter. 

^^And I," said Paul. 

^^Oh, Father, may I go ?" begged Jack. 

"You! you are too little," said Paul. ''What 
would be the use of your going ?" 

''But may I, Father?" Jack repeated eagerly. 

"Yes, you may all go. 'Tis little chance any of 
you lads have. But you must go out to seek your 
fortune soon, and it matters not when you start." 



38 DRAMATIC READINGS 

II. The Three Boys Start 

Next morning the three lads started off with their 
father's blessings walking along the road to the 
King's palace. They had not gone far before they 
came to a steep hillside and a great forest of pine 
trees. Far up on the mountain side they could 
hear the sound of an ax and the crash of falling 
branches. 

^^I wonder who it is that is chopping wood up 
there?'' said Jack. 

^^You are always wondering/' said Paul. ^^What 
is more natural than that a woodcutter should be 
chopping wood up in that forest ?" 

^^Oh^ he is always wondering/' added Peter. 
'^Jack will never get all his questions answered in 
the world." 

^^AU the same/' said Jack^ good-naturedly, ^^I 
should like to know, and I think I'll go to see." 

And he was off up the mountain side, while his 
brothers were still making fun of him. 

III. Jack's First Stop — and Return 

Soon he reached the place where the sound came 
from, and when he reached there, what do you think 
he saw ? 

An axe stood there, all by itself, hacking away at a 
trunk of a big pine tree. 



THE BOY WHO WONDERED 



39 



'^Good day, Mr. Axe/^ said Jack. ^^So you stand 
here alone and cut, do you ?^' 

^^YeS; master/^ said the axe, ^^I have been waiting 
for a long time, for you have been long in coming.'' 

^^ Well, here I am,'' said Jack, and he took the axe 
from its wooden handle and put it in his pocket. 




-- ^^^'"^"^4 



Then he ran down the mountain and soon caught 
up with his brothers. 

^^Well, Mr. Wonderer, what was it you found 
up there?" 

^^It was an axe that we heard," said Jack. 

^^Of course," said Peter. ^^Paul and I knew that 
without climbing a steep hill to find it out." 



40 DRAMATIC READINGS 

IV. His Second Stop — and Return 

So they went along a little farther, and they came 
to a great cliff of rock with its steep side towards 
the road. Up there, high above them, they heard a 
dull sound of something digging. One blow sounded, 
and then another, and another. 

^^ I wonder now," said Jack, ^^what can be hammer- 
ing away up there at the top of the cliff." 

^^Of course you wonder," said Peter. ^^ You're 
always wondering." 

^^Did you never hear a woodpecker tapping on a 
tree?" said Paul. ^^Come along, and don't run up 
hills any more. You will tire yourself out, and we 
shall leave you behind." 

^^ Wonder or no wonder," said Jack, ^^I'm going 
up there to find out what it can be." 

So he began to climb the side of the cliff. And 
what do you think he found when he reached the top ? 

A bright sharp pickaxe, that stood there digging 
all by itself. 

'^Good day, Mr. Pickaxe," said Jack. ^^So you 
stand up here alone and dig, do you?" 

^^ Yes, here I've stood and dug and cut for a long, 
long time, waiting for you, master," said the pickaxe. 

^'Well, here I am," said Jack, as he took the 
pickaxe, knocked off the handle, and put it in his 
pocket. 



THE BOY WHO WONDERED 41 

When he reached the road again, Peter and Paul 
were sitting resting. 

^^What wonderful sight did you see for that 
climb ?^' asked Peter. 

^^It was a pickaxe that we heard/' said Jack. 

'indeed/' said Paul. 

V. His Last Stop — and Return 

The three started on again, and soon they came to 
a brook. They were thirsty and tired, and sat down 
beside it to rest for a while. 

^^I wonder where this brook comes from/' said 
Jack, after a while. ^^I believe I will go and see.'' 

''Nonsense," said Peter. ''Sit still." 

"What foolishness !" added Paul. 

But Jack was already off to see where the brook 
came from. He followed it a little way, and it be- 
came narrower, then narrower still, till it was only 
a thread of water, and then what do you think he 
found ? A walnut shell, resting in a crack in a rock, 
from which the water sprang. 

"Good day, Mr. Spring," said Jack. "So you lie 
here and flow, do you ?" 

"Yes, I do," said the walnut, "and I have been 
sending out water this long time, master, waiting 
for you." 

"Well; here I am," said Jack, and he took the 



42 DRAMATIC READINGS 

walnut and put it in his pocket and returned to his 
brothers, who were so tired of his fooHshness that 
they did not even ask him what he had found. 

VI. At the King's Palace 

At last they came to the King's palace, and there 
a great crowd was gathered. The King's proclama- 
tion had been read in every market place and every 
church of the realm, and men had come from far 
and near. As the three boys entered the herald was 
reading it again. 

^^Know all men/' he read from the roll of parch- 
ment in his hand, ^Hhat this is the King's word. If 
any one will cut down the oak tree which grows in 
the palace yard, the King will give him a chest full 
of gold pieces." 

This much the boys had heard from their neighbor, 
but the herald went on. 

^' Also if any one will dig a v/ell in the solid rock of 
the courtyard of the King's palace, so that it will 
hold water and supply the palace for the year round, 
to him shall be given the King's daughter in marriage, 
and half the realm beside. Thus saith the King, 
over his own hand and seal." 

^^Hear ! hear !" cried the people. 

But the herald held up his hand as a token for 
silence. 

^^Know, likewise," he read further, ^Hhat if any 



THE BOY WHO WONDERED 43 

man try to cut down the oak and fail, he shall have 
both ears cut off. If he try to dig the well and fail, 
he shall have his nose cut off. Thus saith the King 
over his own hand and seal.'' 

And all the people said, ^^Hear ! hear !'J but this 
tirhe they said it seriously and soberly, where before 
they had shouted it. 

Still they were not frightened away by the second 
part of the proclamation. One by one the men went 
forward and hacked at the oak; one by one the 
guard led them- away to the prison, and still the oak 
grew larger and larger, for with every branch that 
was cut off, you will remember, two grew, and for 
every chip came two in its place. 

At last it was Peter's turn. 

"Give me the axe," he said boastfully. "I will 
show you how wood should be cut." 

A sharp axe was given him, and he struck at the 
oak with it. One branch fell off, but there were two 
in its place. He tried again. 

"It cannot be done," he said, and the guards led 
him away. Before night his ears must come off. 

"He never could cut as well as I," said Paul, and 
stepped forward. He began to chop lower down, 
and a shower of chips flew back, but the trunk also 
grew bigger. 

"Enough," called the King from an upper window, 
where he was watching. 



44 DRAMATIC READINGS 

So Paul was led away. 

Then Jack stepped out. 

'^Wtiy do you want your ears clipped off ?'^ called 
the King. '^Are there not enough men in the king- 
dom that a little fellow like you must try to do my 
work?'' 

^^I'd like to try/' said Jack^ and the King nodded 
to the guard to let him go to the oak. 

They offered him an axe^ and he took it; but drew 
the axe head out of the handle and fitted his own into 
it; which he pulled out of his pocket. Then he struck 
the oak with it, and the axe cut and cut right through 
the oak so fast that there was no time for new 
branches to groW; and before any one had time to 
think the oak began to totter and they all ran to get 
out of the way before it fell. 

^^ Thank you^ Axe/' said Jack. 

^^ Thank yoU; my boy/' called the King from his 
window. 

^^Here is the chest of gold pieces/' said the 
guard. 

^^Wait/' said Jack, ^4et me try to dig the 
well." 

^^Is it not enough to escape having your ears cut 
off?" said the King. ^^Do you want to lose your 
nose ?" 

But Jack had already pulled out the pickaxe, and 
fitted it to a handle. 



HOW THE INDIAN GOT FIRE 45 

''Dig, Pickaxe, dig/' he said, and the pickaxe began 
to dig right through the sohd rock at Jack's feet, 
until a deep well had been made. 

^'Flow, Spring, flow,'' said Jack, pulling the wal- 
nut from his pocket and dropping it to the foot of 
the well, and the water gushed out till, in less time 
than it takes to tell, the well was full. 

^'Wonderful," murmured the crowd. 

"Bring him in to receive his reward," called the 
King. So Jack went into the palace, and when he 
came out in a few moments, the King was with him 
and beside him stood the Princess. As they stood 
there, the guard came forward with Jack's two 
brothers, Peter and Paul. 

''I gladly give to you the Princess and half the 
realm besides, and I also pardon at your request 
your two brothers," said the King. 



HOW THE INDIAN GOT FIRE 
I. Coyote's Council 

In the olden days there was no fire on earth. 
Fire had been made, but it was hidden in a casket 
far, far to the north, and was kept by two ugly old 
women who never slept, day or night. Kareya, the 
world ruler, who had made fire, had put them there 
to guard it. 



46 DRAMATIC READINGS 

It was very cold on earth. Even the animals 
shivered in their warm coats of fur, and the poor 
Indian who had no covering except what he could 
make for himself was very unhappy. Coyote saw 
that the Indian must have fire to make him com- 
fortable. 

So Coyote called a council of all the animals, 
from great roaring Lion down to Frog and little 
Mouse. 

^^ Indian must have fire/' he said, ^^and he cannot 
get it alone. We must help him. I think I can steal 
it from the old women, but they are swift of foot. 
The struggle will be to bring it back to our own 
country. Will you all help bring fire back?'' 

^'We will," said Lion, in his deep, roaring 
voice. 

^^We will," sang Frog; and all the other animals 
joined in, saying, ^^We will." 

So Coyote planned it all out that each animal 
should have his station along the road to the house 
of the old women, and each should be half a sun's 
distance from the other. 

^^The strongest and swiftest must be nearest 
their cabin," he said, ^^and each one must be ready 
to run swiftly when the firebrand comes to him. 
Indian will hide himself outside the cabin. I will 
go in. When I call him, he will make a rush and 
frighten the old women." 



HOW THE INDIAN GOT FIRE 47 

II. Coyote at the Cabin of the Old Women 

^ Coyote went to the little cabin and rapped on the 
door. One of the women came to the door ; the 
other sat over the fire. 

^^Good evening/' said Coyote. 

^^Good evening/' said the old woman. 

^^It's a pretty cold night/' said Coyote. 

^^ Yes^ it is/' said the old woman. 

^^I hear you have a fire/' said Coyote. 

^^ Who told you that ?" said she. 

^^Oh, every one knows that/' said Coyote; ^^and 
now will you let me come in and sit by your fire and 
warm myself? It is very cold out here." 

^^I suppose I must/' said the woman, crossly, and 
she opened the door the least bit wider for Coyote 
to slip in. 

So Coyote went into the house^ and lay down by 
the fire. Darkness fell, and Coyote pretended to go 
to sleep, but he kept one eye open watching for a 
chance to steal fire. Hour after hour he watched, 
but to no purpose. One old woman sat on one side 
of the fire, and the other sat opposite her, and 
neither closed her eyes all night. 

Next morning Coyote went out to find Indian. 
Poor Indian was almost frozen. He had been hiding 
all night behind a hill. Coyote told him that he 
must rush up to the cabin with a loud shout and 



48 DRAMATIC READINGS 

attack it. While the old women were driving him 
away, Coyote would steal fire. 

Coyote went back and sat down by the old women. 
Indian rushed up to the door and began to attack 
the cabin, shouting and yelling at the top of his 
voice. The old women were so alarmed that they 
rushed out to drive him off, forgetting all about 
Coyote, who snatched up a firebrand and ran off 
with it in his mouth. 

III. Passing Fike Along 

He had not gone far before they saw him and 
began to run after him. They were swift of foot, 
those ugly old women, and they gained on him fast. 
Just as he was getting beyond his strength, and was 
beginning to pant for breath and slacken his pace, 
he reached Lion. 

Lion seized the brand from Coyote's mouth, and 
bounded off with it. The old women followed close. 
As Lion began to get weary he came to Deer's sta- 
tion. Deer ran like the wind, but the old women 
followed close behind. Then Fox seized the brand 
and carried it for a time ; and so in turn all the ani- 
mals kept up their flight with the old women fol- 
lowing on close behind. 

At last the firebrand was brought to the edge 
of the cold country to Squirrel. He was next to 
the last in the line. As he seized the brand the 



HOW THE INDIAN GOT FIRE 



49 



old women almost caught up with him. He was 
so frightened that he dropped it^ and in picking it 
up again his tail caught fire. Squirrel did not dare 
to stop. He ran right on, carrying the brand in his 
mouth ; but he curled his tail up over his back, and 




it burned a spot right between his shoulders. To 
this very day you can see this spot on Squirrel^ s 
back. 

Before long Squirrel came to Frog, and threw 
the firebrand into Frog's mouth. Poor Frog ! he 
was not much of a runner, and he would have fared 
ill if he had not been near the river between the land 
of the Indian and the animals, and the cold coun- 



50 DRAMATIC READINGS 

try of the old women. He hopped into the water 
with the firebrand in his mouth. But just as he 
reached the water one of the old women caught him 
and pulled his tail off. That is why frogs have 
no tails even to this day. The old woman thought 
she had got fire at last^ but Frog swallowed the tiny 
spark and with a desperate wrench pulled himself 
away and escaped into the water. When he came 
to the other side^ he spat out the fire on a piece of 
driftwood, where it sputtered and burned. 

Poor Frog ! He had saved fire for the Indian, 
but he had had the worst of it. Never since that 
day has his tail grown again. And the brand burned 
away one of his vocal chords, so that he no longer 
rivals the birds as he once did. This is why he dis- 
likes fire, and even to this day keeps away from it. 

But fire had been brought from the north. From 
that time fire has dwelt in the wood, and by rubbing 
two twigs together the Indian can always get 
enough to keep him warm. When he has got fire, 
some of the animals will come and sit around it 
with him ; but others are afraid, for they remember 
what a terrible burning thing it was that they carried 
in their mouths. 



PRUDENT HANS 51 

PRUDENT HANS 
I 

One day Hans' mother said: ^^AYhere are you 
going, Hans V^ 

Hans answered : ^^To GretheVs, mother/^ 
^^ Manage well, Hans.'' 
''AH right. Good-by, mother." 
''Good-by, Hans." 

Then Hans came to Grethel's. 
'^Good morning, Grethel." 

^^Good morning, Hans. What have you brought 
me to-day?" 

''I have brought nothing, but I want something." 

''I will give you a knife." 

So she gave him a knife. 

''Thank you. Good-by, Grethel." 

"Good-by, Hans," she said. 

Hans came home to his mother. 
"Good evening, mother." 

"Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" 
"To Grethel's." 
"What did you take her ?" 

"I took her nothing, but I brought away some- 
thing." 

"What did Grethel give you, Hans ?" 



52 DRAMATIC READINGS 

''A knife, mother/' 
''What did you do with it, Hans ?'' 
''Stuck it in my sleeve, mother." 
"That was very stupid of you, Hans. You should 
have put it in your pocket.'' 

"All right; mother ! I'll do better next time/^ 

II 

When next time came, Hans' mother said : 

"Whereto, Hans?" 

"To Grethel's, mother." 

"Manage well, Hans." 

"All right ! Good-by, mother." 

"Good-by, Hans." 

So Hans came to Grethel's. 

"Good morning, Grethel." 

"Good morning, Hans. What have you brought 
me to-day?" 

"I've brought nothing, but I want to take away 
something." 

"Very well, Hans. I will give you a goat/^ 

So she gave him a goat. 

Hans came home to his mother. 

"Good evening, mother." 

"Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" 

"To Grethel's, mother." 



PRUDENT HANS 



53 



''What did you take her, Hans ?'' 
''I took her nothing, but I brought away some- 
thing.'' 

''What did Grethel give you, Hans?" 

"A young goat, mother." 

"What did you do with it, Hans ?" 




"I tried to put it in my pocket, and it scratched 
me and ran away." 

"That was very stupid of you, Hans. You should 
have put a rope around its neck, and led it home, and 
tied it to the manger." 

"All right, mother, I'll do better next time." 



54 DRAMATIC READINGS 

III 

When next time came^ Hans' mother said : 

^^ Where are you going, Hans V 

^^To GretheVs, mother/' 

^^ Manage well, Hans.'' 

^^All right, mother. Good-by, mother." 

^^Good-by, Hans." 

Then Hans came to Grethel. 
^^Good morning, Grethel." 

^^Good morning, Hans. What have you brought 
me to-day?" 

^^I've brought nothing, but I want something." 
^^ I will give you myself." 

^^ Thank you, Grethel. Come along, Grethel." 
^^Very well, Hans," she said. 

Hans came home to his mother. 

^^Good evening, mother." 

^^Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?" 

^^To Grethel's, mother." 

^^What did you take her?" 

^^I took nothing, but I brought away some- 
thing." 

'^What did Grethel give jou?" 

^^ Herself, mother." 

^^ Herself ! But where is she? Where have you 
left her?" 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 55 

^^I put a rope round her neck and led her home, 
and tied her to the manger/^ 

^^That was very stupid of you, Hans. Go at 
once and bring her into the house/' 

''All right, mother! I will/' 

But when Hans wxnt to the stable, Grethel had 
become angry, and getting loose, had run away to 
her own home. 



ALICE^S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 

Alice had followed the White Rabbit into Wonder- 
land and met many queer animals, when all at once 
she found herself in a beautiful garden, among bright 
flower beds and cool fountains. 

I. The Queen's Garden 

A large rose tree stood near the entrance of the 
garden ; the roses growing on it were white, but there 
were three gardeners at it, busily painting them red. 
Alice thought this a very curious thing, and she went 
nearer to watch them, and, just as she came up to 
them, she heard one of them say: ^^Look out 
now, Five ! Don't go splashing paint over me like 
that!'' 

^^I couldn't help it," said Five, in a sulky tone. 
^^ Seven jogged my elbow." 



56 DRAMATIC READINGS 

On which Seven looked up and said: ^^ That's 
right, Five! Always lay the blame on others !'' 

'^Foii'd better not talk!'' said Five. '^ heard 
the Queen say only yesterday you deserved to be 
beheaded." 

^^What for?" said the one who had spoken first. 

^^ That's none of your business. Two !" said Seven. 

'^Yes, it is his business !" said Five. ''And I'll 
tell him — it was for bringing the cook tulip roots 
instead of onions." 

Seven flung down his brush, and had just begun, 
^'Well, of all the unjust things— " when his eye 
chanced to fall upon Alice, as she stood watching 
them, and he checked himself suddenly ; the others 
looked round also, and all of them bowed low. 

''Would you tell me, please," said Alice, a little 
timidly, "why you are painting those roses?" 

Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. 
Two began, in a low voice : "Why, the fact is, you 
see, Miss, this here ought to have been a red rose 
tree, and we put a white one in by mistake ; and if 
the Queen was to find it out, we should all have our 
heads cut off, you know. So you see, Miss, we're 
doing our best, afore she comes, to — " At this 
moment. Five, who had been anxiously looking across 
the garden, called out, "The Queen ! The Queen !" 
and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves 
flat upon their faces. There was a sound of many 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 57 

footsteps^ and Alice looked rounds eager to see the 
Queen. 

First came ten soldiers carrying clubs ; these 
were all shaped like the three gardeners, oblong 
and flat; with their hands and feet at the corners. 
Next the ten courtiers ; these were ornamented all 
over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as 
the soldiers did. After these came the royal chil- 
dren : there were ten of them, and the little dears 
came jumping merrily along, hand in hand, in 
couples ; they were all ornamented with hearts. 
Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens, 
and among them Alice recognized the White Rabbit ; 
it was talking in a hurried, nervous manner, smiling 
at everything that was said, and went by without 
noticing her. Then followed the Knave of Hearts, 
carrying the King's, crown on a crimson velvet 
cushion ; and last of all this grand procession came 
the King and Queen of Hearts. 

Alice was rather doubtful whether she ought not 
to lie down on her face like the three gardeners, but 
she could not remember ever having heard of such 
a rule at processions; ^^and besides, what would be 
the use of a procession,'^ thought she, ^4f people had 
all to lie down on their faces, so that they couldn't 
see it?'' So she stood where she was, and waited. 

When the procession came opposite to Alice, 
they all stopped and looked at her, and the Queen 



58 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



said severely^ '^Who is this?'' She said it to the 
Knave of Hearts^ who only bowed and smiled in 
reply. 

^^ Idiot!'' said the Queen, tossing her head im- 
patiently ; and; turning to Alice, she went on, 
'^What's your name, child ?" 




^^My name is Alice, so please your Majesty," 
said Alice, very politely ; but she added, to herself : 
^^Why, they're only a pack of cards, after all. I 
needn't be afraid of them !" 

^^And who are these? ^^ said the Queen, pointing 
to the three gardeners who were lying round the 
rose tree ; for, you see, as they were lying on their 
faces, and the pattern on their backs was the same 
as the rest of the pack, she could not tell whether 
they were gardeners, or soldiers, or courtiers, or 
three of her own children. 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 59 

^^How should / know?'' said Alice; surprised at 
her own courage. ^^It's no business of mine.''^ 

The Qiieen turned crimson with fury, and, after 
glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, began 
screaming: ^^Off with her head ! Off with — '' 

^'Nonsense !'' said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, 
and the Queen* was silent. 

The King laid his hand upon her arm, and timidly 
said, ^^ Consider, my dear; she is only a child!'' 

The Queen turned angrily away from him, and 
said to the Knave, ^^Turn them over !" 

The Knave did so, very carefully, with one foot. 

^^Get up !" said the Queen, in a shrill, loud voice, 
and the three gardeners instantly jumped up, and 
began bowing to the King, the Queen, the royal 
children, and everybody else. 

^^Leave off that!" screamed the Queen. ^^You 
make me giddy." And then, turning to the rose 
tree, she went on, ^^ What have you been doing here ? " 

^^ May it please your Majesty," said Two, in a very 
humble tone, going down on one knee as he spoke, 
^^ we were trying — " 

^^/ see !" said the Queen, who had meanwhile been 
examining the roses. ^^Off with their heads !" and 
the procession moved on. 

As they walked off together, Alice heard the King 
say in a low voice to the company generally, ^^You 
are all pardoned." ^^Come, thafs a good thing!" 



60 DRAMATIC READINGS 

she said to herself^ for she had felt quite unhappy 
at the number of executions the Queen had ordered. 

II. Alice a Queen Herself 

^^YouVe only a few yards to go^ down the hill/' 
said the Knight, ^^and then you'll be a Queen — 
But you'll stay and see me off first?" he added as 
Alice turned with an eager look in the direction to 
which he pointed. ^^I shan't be long." 

So Alice waited and waved her handkerchief to 
him until he was out of sight. Then she ran down 
the hill herself. 

^^And now for the last brook, and to be a Queen ! 
How grand it sounds !" 

She crossed the brook, and sat down to rest. 

^^Oh, how glad I am to get here ! But what is 
this on my head ? " she exclaimed in a tone of dismay, 
as she put her hands up to something very heavy that 
fitted all round her head. 

It was a golden crown. 

^^Well, this is grand !" said Ahce. ^^I never ex- 
pected I should be a Queen so soon — and I'll tell 
you what it is, your Majesty," she went on, in a 
severe tone (she was always rather fond of scolding 
herself), ^4t'll never do for you to be lolling about 
on the grass like that ! Queens have to be dignified, 
you know !" 

So she got up and walked about — rather stiffly 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 61 

just at firsts as she was afraid that the crown might 
come off ; but she comforted herself with the thought 
that there was nobody to see her^ ^^ and if I really am 
a Queen/' she said as she sat down again^ ^^I shall be 
able to manage it quite well in time/' 

Everything was happening so oddly that she didn't 
feel a bit surprised at finding the Red Queen and the 
White Queen sitting close to her, one on each side. 

^^ Please, would you tell me — " she began, looking 
timidly at the Red Queen. 

^^ Speak when you're spoken to!" the Queen 
sharply interrupted her. 

^^But if everybody obeyed that rule/' said Alice, 
who was always ready for a little argument, ^^and 
if you only spoke when you were spoken to, and the 
other person always waited for you to begin, you see 
nobody would ever say anything, so that — " 

^^ Ridiculous !" cried the Queen. ^^Why, don't 
you see, child — " here she broke off with a frown, 
and, after thinking for a minute, suddenly changed 
the subject of the conversation. ^^What do you 
mean by ^If you really are a Queen' ? What right 
have you to call yourself so ? You can't be a Queen, 
you know, till you've passed the proper examina- 
tion. And the sooner we begin it, the better." 

"I only said 4f ' !" poor Alice pleaded in a piteous 
tone. 

The two Queens looked at each other, and the 



62 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Red Queen remarked, with a little shudder, ^^She 
says she only said ^if ^ — '' 

^^But she said a great deal more than that!'' 
the White Queen moaned, wringing her hands. 
^^Oh, ever so much more than that !'' 

^^So you did, you know,'' the Red Queen said to 
Alice. ^^ Always speak the truth — think before 
you speak — and write it down afterwards." 

^^I'm sure I didn't mean — " Alice was begin- 
ning, but the Red Queen interrupted her im- 
patiently. 

^^ That's just what I complain of! You should 
have meant ! What do you suppose is the use of a 
child without any meaning ! Even a joke should 
have some meaning — and a child's more important 
than a joke, I hope. You couldn't deny that, even 
if you tried with both hands." 

^^I don't deny things with my hands/^ Alice 
objected. 

^^ Nobody said you did," said the Red Queen. 
"I said you couldn't if you tried." 

^^ She's in that state of mind," said the White 
Queen, ^Hhat she wants to deny something — only 
she doesn't know what to deny !" 

^^A nasty, vicious temper," the Red Queen re- 
marked ; and then there was an uncomfortable 
silence for a minute or two. 

The Red Queen broke the silence by saying to 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 63 

the White Queen, ^^I invite you to Alice^s dinner 
party this afternoon/' 

The White Queen smiled feebly, and said, ^^And 
I invite you.''^ 

^^I didn't know I was to have a party at all/' 
said Alice; '^but if there is to be one, I think / 
ought to invite the guests." 

^^We gave you the opportunity of doing it," the 
Red Queen remarked; ^^but I daresay youVe not 
had many lessons in manners yet." 

^^ Manners are not taught in lessons," said Alice. 
'^Lessons teach you to do sums, and things of that 
sort." 

^^Can you do Addition?" the White Queen asked. 
'^What's one and one and one and one and one and 
one and one and one and one and one?" 

''I don't know," said Alice. ''I lost count." 

^^She can't do Addition," the Red Queen inter- 
rupted. ^^Can you do Subtraction? Take nine 
from eight." 

^^Nine from eight I can't, you know," Alice re- 
plied very readily ; ^^but — " 

^^She can't do Subtraction," said the White 
Queen. ^^Can you do Division? Divide a loaf 
by a knife — what's the answ^er to that?^^ 

^'\ suppose — " Alice was beginning, but the 
Red Queen answered for her. ^^Bread-and-butter, 
of course. Try another Subtraction sum. Take a 
bone from a dog : what remains ?" 



64 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Alice considered. ^^The bone wouldn't remain^ of 
course^ if I took it — and the dog wouldn't remain ; 
it would come to bite me — and Tm sure / shouldn't 
remain !" 

^^Then you think nothing would remain?" said 
the Red Queen. 

^^I think that's the answer.'" 

^^ Wrong, as usual/' said the Red Queen; ^Hhe 
dog's temper would remain." 

''But I don't see how— " 

''AVhy, look here !" the Red Queen cried. ''The 
dog would lose its temper, wouldn't it ?" 

"Perhaps it would/' Alice replied cautiously. 

"Then if the dog went av/ay, its temper would 
remain !" the Queen exclaimed triumphantly. 

Alice said, as gravely as she could, "They might go 
different ways." But she couldn't help thinking 
to herself, "What dreadful nonsense we are 
talking ! " 

Here the Red Queen began again. "Can j^ou 
answer useful questions?" she said. "How is 
bread made?" 

"I know that!^^ Alice cried eagerly. "You take 
some flour — " 

"Where do you pick the flower?" the White 
Queen asked. "In a garden or in the hedges ?" 

"Well, it isn't picked at all," Alice explained; 
"it's ground — " 



ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 65 

^^How many acres of ground?'^ said the White 
Queen. ^^You mustn^t leave out so many things/' 

^^Fan her head !^' the Red Queen anxiously 
interrupted. ^^ She'll be feverish after so much 
thinking.'' So they set to work and fanned her 
with bunches of leaves^ till she had to bid them to 
leave off, it blew her hair about so. 

^^ She's all right again now/' said the Red 
Queen. 

^^What is the cause of lightning?" said the White 
Queen, in an anxious tone. 

^^The cause of lightning/' Alice said very decidedly, 
for she felt quite certain about this, ^^is the thunder 
— no, no !" she hastily corrected herself. ^^I meant 
the other way." 

^^It's too late to correct it," said the Red Queen; 
^^when you've once said a thing, that fixes it, and 
you must take the consequences." 

^^ Which reminds me — " the White Queen said, 
looking down and nervously clasping and unclasping 
her hands, ^^we had such a thunderstorm last Tues- 
day — I mean one of the last set of Tuesdays, you 
know." 

Alice was puzzled. ^^In our country," she re- 
marked, ^Hhere's only one day at a time." 

The Red Queen said : ^^ That's a poor thin way of 
doing things. Now here, we mostly have days and 
nights two or three at a time, and sometimes in the 



66 DRAMATIC READINGS 

winter we take as many as five nights together — 
for warmth; you know/^ 

^^Are five nights warmer than one night; then?" 
Ahce ventured to ask. 

^^Five times as warm^ of course/' 

^^But they should be five times as cold, by the same 
rule—'' 

^^Just so !" cried the Red Queen. ^^Five times as 
warm; and five times as cold — just as I'm five times 
as rich as you are; and five times as clever !" 

Lewis CarrolL; Alice^s Adventures in Wonderland 
and Through the Looking Glass. 

A STONE IN THE ROAD 
I. The Placing of the Stone 

Long agO; in a far-off country where ruled wise 
Duke OttO; there might have been seen one night on 
one of the highways leading toward the capital of 
the realm a tall man in a long cloak. It was late at 
night; and he was alone. But instead of walking 
along towards his destination; he had stopped right 
in the middle of the road and was scooping out a 
little round hollow. When it was as deep as he 
wished; he lined the sides and bottom with pebbles. 
Then he took from the folds of his cloak a small 
bundle; placed it in the hole; and spread the pebbles 
over it. Next he went to the side of the road and 



A STONE IN THE ROAD 67 

loosened a large and very heavy stone. He pulled 
and tugged on it till he managed to get it free and to 
carry it to the middle of the road where he dropped 
it over the hole he had made. Then he went his way. 

II. Next Morning 

Next morning a farmer came driving his ox-cart 
along that road. 

^^Ah/' he cried; ^Hhe laziness of these people. 
Here is this big stone right in the middle of the road, 
and not one of them has taken the trouble to push 
it away, lest it break the bones of an honest farmer 
driving in from the country.'' 

So he pulled his oxen to one side and passed on, 
grumbling at the laziness of the people who lived 
near towns. When he got home that night, he told 
his wife and children that the good Duke Otto should 
know how careless his people were. 

Next a gallant knight, with bright and waving 
plume and dangling sword, came strolling along. 
His head was held too high for him to notice the 
stone, and down he fell with the sword between his 
legs. He arose and limped away with a growl at 
^Hhose peasants, that leave a rock in the road to 
break a gentleman's legs." 

Next came a company of merchants, with mules 
and pack horses laden with goods. They were on 
their way to the fair that was to be held at the Duke's 



68 DRAMATIC READINGS 

great town. When they came to the stone, so 
narrow was the road that they had to file past it on 
either side, and one of them said : 

^^To think of the Uke of that big stone lying there, 
and every soul going past it this morning, and none 
stopping to take it away. The people of this coun- 
try are certainly lazy.'' 

^^It only shows how little people care for the com- 
fort of others," returned another. 

And thus it went on for the three weeks that were 
left of October. Every one complained of the stone, 
but no one moved it. 

III. Three Weeks Later 

When three weeks had passed since the man in the 
long cloak placed the stone where we have seen it, 
the Duke sent to his people to meet him on this road, 
for he had something to say to them. The day 
came, and a crowd thronged the road at the ap- 
pointed spot. The farmer was there, and the mer- 
chants, and even the knight, who happened to be 
going that way and thought he would see what the 
Duke had to say. 

^^I hope my Lord Duke will know now what kind 
of folks city people are,'' said the farmer, when he 
saw that the stone was still there. 

^^It is a shame," answered the merchant. 

And now a winding horn was heard, and the Duke 



A STONE IN THE ROAD 



69 




" For Him who Lifts the Stone " 



70 DRAMATIC READINGS 

rode up with his retinue. He dismounted and 
stepped to the center of the road^ right beside the 
stone. All the people crowded closer to hear what 
he wanted to tell them. He began to speak. 

^^My good people^ you know I am fond of teaching 
you now and then a lesson. For such a lesson I 
have called you together to-day ! It was I who put 
this stone here ; and for three weeks every one who 
passed by has left it here^ and blamed his neighbor 
for not taking it out of the way.'' 

Then, stooping down, he lifted the stone, and 
showed them the hollow place beneath, in which lay 
a small leather bag. 

This he lifted high, that all the people might see 
what was written upon it, — 

^^For him who lifts the stone !'' 

He untied it, turned it upside down, and a stream 
of bright gold coins fell to the ground. 

The farmer looked at the merchant and said : 
^^ Humph!'' 

And the merchant looked at the farmer and said : 
^^ Humph!" 

And the Duke looked with a kindly smile at the 
crestfallen faces of his subjects, and said: 

^^My dear people, remember the stone in the 
road." 



MR. WIND AND MADAM RAIN 71 

MR. WIND AND MADAM RAIN 

I. John Peter Alone 

John Peter was sitting in his poor little cottage 
one night; feeling very mournful. All at once he 
began to talk out loud to himself. 

^^Alas ! Mr. Wind/' he exclaimed^ ^^why won't 
you blow on my mill ? and alas ! Madam Rain^ why 
won't you fall in my garden, so that I may gain a 
livelihood?" 

He had said this many times before^ and the wind 
had never hearkened, nor the rain troubled itself 
about him. Now he went on sadly. 

^^If all my troubles overwhelmed myself alone, I 
should not complain, for I am strong enough to en- 
dure cold and hunger. But my wife will need fire 
to warm her, good nourishment to strengthen her, 
and medicine in her sickness ; and I have neither 
wood to put upon* the fire, nor meat to make broth 
with, no, nor money to pay the doctor. The want 
of wind and rain is the sole cause of my distress. 
If only the wind would blow on my mill, I should 
soon be able to get myself out of this scrape." 

11. The Approach of Mr. Wind 

I As John Peter uttered these last words, he saw 
the flame of the candle flicker, and heard the rust}^ 
weathercock turning on the top of the cottage. 



72 DRAMATIC READINGS 

The wind was just beginning to blow. The as- 
tonished miller ran quickly to his mill^ and put grain 
enough into the hopper for the night's grinding. He 
untied the cord which held fast the mill sails, and 
then they began to turn round, and the mill set to 
work to grind the corn into flour and bran. John 
Peter now went back to his wife, who was still 
sleeping, and he rubbed his hands together as he 
thought of the good things he had to tell her when 
she awoke. 

The rusty weathercock, however, creaked louder 
and louder, and the candle had to be placed behind 
a curtain to prevent its being blown out ; there were 
so many holes and chinks in the walls of the cottage 
that the drafts came in everywhere. The window 
shook, and the door moved on its hinges, and the 
ashes from the hearth flew all about the room. 

In the midst of this commotion John Peter thought 
he heard the voices of the wind spirits whispering 
these words in his ears : 

^^ Let us whistle, '^ said these spirits ; ^' let us whistle 
through this broken pane, and let us try to tear off 
the paper that stops it up.'' 

^^Let us moan, let us moan through this hole/' 
said others. 

^^Let us cling, let us cling to the thatch of this 
miserable cabin." 

'^Let us push against this ill-fastened door." 



MR. WIND AND MADAM RAIN 



73 



^^Let us murmur, let us hum in this chimney/' 
Still the miller was not frightened ; and he an- 
swered, ^^ Whistle, moan, hum as much as you like, 
so that my mill turns /^ 




III. Mr. Wind Arrives 

At that very instant the latch went up, the door 
burst wide open, and John Peter saw a most extraor- 
dinary figure enter. It was more like one of the 
genii than a man. His body could bend itself in 
every direction, it was so supple and elastic. His 
eyes shone like phosphorus, and his ample chest sent 
forth a noise equal to that from a smith's bellows. 
The two large wings which were fastened to his 
shoulders could not have spread themselves in the 



74 DRAMATIC READINGS 

cottage. A red mantle of thin stuff floated around 
him, falling into so many folds that the shape of 
his body could not be distinguished. His feet 
glided lightly over the floor without walking. 

^^Give me a chair/' said he to John Peter, ^^that 
I may rest a moment with you before proceeding on 
my way.'' 

The miller eagerly offered his best straw-bottomed 
chair. 

^^Sit down, my lord/' said he, ^^and rest yourself 
as long as you like in my cottage ; only have the 
goodness not to speak so loud, or you will awaken 
my wife, who is ill." 

^^Fear nothing," replied the stranger; ^Hhe mur- 
mur of my words will make her sleep more soundly. 

''I am Mr. Wind," said the stranger. ''Thou 
hast several times made requests of me. Thou 
wilt not wonder at my being a little out of breath 
when I tell thee that in less than an hour I have 
travelled a long distance over the ocean and visited 
many towns. 

''Thy lord, who lives at the neighboring castle, 
would not receive me ; his servants have shut all 
the doors and windows, and secured them with 
large bolts and solid, well-wadded shutters ; and I 
have scarcely been able to penetrate into the stair- 
cases through a skylight in one of the towers, or 
into the kitchen through a little air hole. At thy 



MR. WIND AND MADAM RAIN 75 

cottage, however, I found the walls in ruins, and the 
latch without a fastening, and I could enter easily. 
This is just the sort of cottage I like. Thou hast 
but one poor straw-bottomed chair ; this thou didst 
most willingly offer at my entrance. I thank thee 
for this hospitable reception. Ask, therefore, some 
service of me, John Peter, and I will do it for thee 
most freely.'^ 

^^Mr. Wind,^' said the miller, ^^all I ask of you is 
to blow for three or four hours a day on my mill.'' 

''My poor John Peter,'' replied Mr. Wind, ''I am 
not permitted to go out every day. Madam Rain 
occupies the sky for a third part of the year, and, 
like an ungrateful creature, she drives me away after 
I have brought on her clouds ; and the Sun agrees 
still worse with me. I sometimes live shut up in 
my cavern for months ; but I will take care to send 
thee zephyrs and little spirits, who go out at my order 
to scour the country morning and evening, and I 
will order them not to forget thy mill. But now I 
must be off. I have stayed too long already. Al- 
ready Madam Rain is close at my heels. Good-by, 
John Peter!" 

So saying, Mr. Wind sprang at one bound out of 
the cottage, spread his large wings, and disappeared. 
The whistling, and moaning, and shrieking died 
away. But the little spirits he had left behind were 
strong enough to keep the mill going. 



76 DRAMATIC READINGS 

IV. The Approach of Madam Rain 

Immediately after Mr. Wind had departed^ rain 
began to fall ; gently at first, and afterward in tor- 
rents. John Peter fancied he could hear voices of 
the rain spirits, saying : 

^^Let us fall, let us fall on this thatched roof.'^ 

^^Let us wet, let us wet the whole of this cottage.'' 

^^Let us water the leaves of the cabbages.'' 

^^Let us cover these pebbles with water." 

^^Let us ring in this spout." 

^^Let us run along this beam." 

^^Let us jump through this hole." 

^^Letusfall." 

"Let us wet all that we can." 

"Little drops, drip, drip, drop !" 

Instead of being afraid, John Peter repeated : 
"Fall, wet, water as much as you please ! To- 
morrow my garden will be greener, and my cabbages 
the better for it." 

V. Madam Rain Arrives 

As Mr. Wind had broken the latch, and gone out 
without shutting the door, it remained three or four 
inches ajar, and through this narrow space John 
Peter saw enter a tall lady of singular appearance, 
more like a fairy than a woman. She was somewhat 
transparent, and her face pale and thin. Her hair 



MR, WIND AND MADAM RAIN 77 

was straight^ and fell down to her feet. Her eyes 
were dimmed by two streams of tears. Her dress 
and mantle were gray. Upon her silken scarf shone 
the seven colors of the rainbow. She came in slowly, 
without seeming to move her feet. 

^^Give me a chair/^ said she to John Peter, ^Hhat 
I may rest for a moment before I go down into the 
valley." 

^^Sit down, ma'am,'' said the miller; ^^only have 
the goodness to speak a little lower, for my wife is 
ill and my child is asleep." 

^^Fear not !" replied the lady; ^Hhe noise of my 
words will make them sleep more soundly. I am 
Madam Rain, whom thou hast so often called. Only 
five minutes ago I was eighteen hundred fathoms 
above the earth, and my descent has made me a 
little giddy. The lord of the neighboring castle 
has shut his doors and windows in my face, but I 
have revenged myself by drenching his sentinels to 
the skin. I found chinks in the walls of thy cottage, 
and window panes broken, and the door open ; so I 
like this cottage of thine ; and I will remember thy 
kind welcome. If I can serve thee in anything, 
take advantage of this opportunity, and ask me for 
whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee." 

^^ Madam Rain," said John Peter, ^^what could I 
ask of you but to be kind enough to fall two or three 
times a week on the vegetables in my garden?" 



78 DRAMATIC READINGS 

'^\las ! friend/^ said the lady^ ^^I do not gad about 
as often as I should Hke. The glorious time of the 
Deluge is past, and Mr. Sun is stronger than I ; and 
when I am abroad, he is constantly driving me back 
to my grotto. But I will send thee the morning 
dews, and the little clouds to which I give the key 
of the fields between gleams of sunshine. Farewell, 
honest John Peter. The Sun is coming soon to dry 
all my work. Should any misfortune befall thee, 
do not fail to let me.know.'^ 

Madam Rain slipped through the partly opened 
door. At the end of an hour dawn began to come. 
A flood of sunshine soon dispersed the clouds. 

VI. Next Morning 

John Peter left his cottage and went to his mill; 
there he found flour sufficient to fill two sacks. He 
then went to his garden, and gathered cabbages and 
lettuce, which the rain had quickly brought to per- 
fection. The flour he carried to a farmer, who gave 
him two crown pieces for it ; and the vegetables he 
sold in the market. His wife was still sleeping when 
he returned home with a fagot of wood on his shoul- 
der, good provisions in his basket, and money in his 
pocket. 

John Peter^s wife, having slept till morning, had 
heard neither Wind nor Rain, so she was surprised 
when told that the mill had been turning all night. 



HOW A GIRL HID A GOVERNOR 79 

and to see the money and provisions which her hus- 
band had brought home. Sleeping had already 
hastened her recovery, and the joy she now felt 
completely restored her to health. 

Emily Makepeace, translation of Mr, Wind 
and Madam Rain by Paul De Musset. 



HOW A GIRL HID A GOVERNOR 
I. Where It Happened 

In the year 1777, in the war of the Revolution, a 
governor, whose name was Griswold, found himself 
in danger of being seized by the King's soldiers, and 
took shelter in a farmhouse which was the home of a 
relative. 

One day it had been arranged that he should try 
to make his escape, as it was feared that the farm- 
house was being watched. His plan was to reach 
a small stream with deep banks on each side, where 
boatmen would be waiting to take him away. A 
white signal was hung from the window of the attic 
to show that they were to be in waiting, and in great 
haste he left the house to go through the orchard. 
There he found a young girl, about twelve years old. 
She was watching some long pieces of linen cloth 
which were stretched out in the sun to bleach. She 
sat knitting, and near her was a pail of water, from 



80 DRAMATIC READINGS 

which she sprinkled the cloth now and then, to keep 
it damp. 

She started up when a man leaped over the fence, 
and he was as startled as she until he saw it was only 
Hetty, and she recognized her cousin, Governor 
Griswold, escaping in disguise. 

II. Hetty and the Governor 

^^ Hetty,'' he said, ^^I shall lose my life unless I can 
get to the boat before the soldiers come. You see 
where the roads part, close by the orchard ? I want 
you to run down towards the shore and meet the 
soldiers, who are sure to ask for me, and tell them 
that I have gone up the road to catch the mail cart.'' 

^^But, cousin," said Hetty, ^^how can I say so ? — 
it would not be true. Oh, why did you tell me which 
way you were going ?" 

^^ Would you betray me, Hetty, and see me put to 
death ? Hark ! they are coming. I hear the clink 
of the horses' feet. Tell them I have gone up the 
road, and Heaven will bless you." 

^^Nay, cousin," said Hetty, ^Hhose who speak 
false words will never be happy. But they shall not 
make me tell which way you go, even if they kill 
me — so run as fast as you can." 

^^ It is too late to run. Where can I hide myself ? " 

"Be quick, cousin, lie down under this cloth; I 
will throw it over you and go on sprinkling the linen." 



HOW A GIRL HID A GOVERNOR 81 

^^I will do it^ for it is my last chance/' 
He was soon hidden under the heavy folds of the 
long cloth. 

III. The Soldiers Come 

In a moment a party of soldiers dashed down the 
road. An officer saw the girl, and called out to her 
in a loud voice, — 

^^Have you seen a man run by this way ?'' 

^^Yes, sir/' said Hetty. 

^^Which way didhego?'' 

^^I promised not to tell, sir.'' 

^^But you must tell this instant, or it will be worse 
for you." 

^^I will not tell, for I must keep my word." 

^^Let me speak, for I think I know the child," said 
a man who was guide to the party, ^^Is your name 
Hetty Marvin?" 

^^Yes, sir." 

^^ Perhaps the man who ran past you was your 
cousin?" 

^^Yes, sir, he was." 

^^Well," continued the guide, ^^we wish to speak 
with him ; what did he say to you when he came 
by?" 

^^He told me that he had to run to save his life," 
answered the girl quietly. 

^^Just so," said the guide; ^Hhat was quite true. 



82 DRAMATIC READINGS 

I hope he will not have far to run. Where was he 
going to hide himself ?'' 

^^My cousin said that he would go to the river to 
find a boat, and he wanted me to tell the men in 
search of him that he had gone the other way to 
meet the mail cart/^ 

^^You are a good girl, Hetty/' said the guide, 
'^and we know you speak the truth.'' 

^^And what did he say/' interposed the officer, 
^^when you said you would not tell a lie ?" 

^^He said, ^ Would you betray me and see me put 
to death'?" 

^^And you," said the guide, ^^ answered that you 
would not tell if you were killed for it ?" 

Poor Hetty's tears fell fast, as she whispered, ^^ Yes, 
sir." 

^^ Those were brave words, Hetty," he said. ^^ And 
I suppose he thanked you and ran down the road as 
fast as he could." 

^^I promised not to tell which way he went, sir." 

^^Oh, yes — I forgot; but tell me his last words, 
and I will not trouble you any more." 

^^He said, ^I will do it, for it is my last chance.'" 

IV. The Soldiers Go 

Hetty was now in great fear ; she sobbed aloud 
and hid her face in her apron. The soldiers thought 
they had got all they wanted to know, and rode off 




Hetty and the Officer 
83 



84 DRAMATIC READINGS 

to the riverside. Meantime Griswold lay safe and 
quiet until the time came for Hetty to go home to 
supper. Then he bade her ask her mother to put the 
signal lamp in the window as soon as it grew dark, 
and send him some food. The signal was seen, the 
boat which had slipped away at the approach of the 
soldiers came back, and Griswold made his way to it 
in safety. 

In better days, when the war was over, he named 
his first child Hetty Marvin, that he might daily 
think of the brave young cousin whose sense and 
truthfulness had saved his life. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 



85 



LPS POR^. 



MATKATION 




FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS WHO READ THESE 
STORIES AND WANT TO ACT THEM 

When you read a story^ you are only beginning 
to know it. You are sitting outside and looking 
on at it. But when you act a story^ you must live 
in it. You must forget where you are and who you 
are, and imagine that you are one of the persons in 
the story. You want to be as like him as possible. 
So you will find out all you can about him. You 
will read what he says, and say it as if you were he. 
You will find out what he does. Is he standing 
when he talks ? Is he talking to some one ? To 
whom ? Is his voice gentle or loud ? Is he glad or 
sorry ? How does he show it ? How often does he 
speak, and who speaks before him, and who after 



86 DRAMATIC READINGS 

him ? You will need to know all these things if 
you are to pretend to be that person, even for only 
a few minutes. If several boys and girls are to act 
a story together, they will want to know where they 
meet, what they say to each other, and what they 
do. All this they can find out if they read the story 
carefully. Let us begin with the first story. 

HOW ALL THE ANIMALS TRIED TO MAKE 

MAN (Page 3) 

How does it begin? '^AU the animals — .'' To 
live this story you must be talking animals. How 
many animals are there? ^^ There were Lion, Bear, 
Deer, Sheep, Owl, Mole, and all the rest, down to 
little Mouse.'' That tells you who some of them 
were and shows that there were many more whose 
names are not given. 

The first thing to find out about a story you want 
to act is how many people there are and when they 
speak. Let us look through the story and see who 
speaks. Coyote spoke first, then Lion, then Bear, 
Deer, and Sheep. Coyote interrupted. Bear spoke, 
Coyote spoke again, and Beaver spoke for the 
first time. Owl followed. Mole sniffed ^^Pu-u-u !/' 
Mouse spoke. Screech Owl shrieked. Coyote spoke 
sharply, and each animal cried, ^^ I'll make Man 
myself. '^ Count them and see how many there are 
who speak. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 87 

Coyote Beaver 

Lion Owl 

Bear Mole 

Deer Mouse 

Sheep Screech Owl 

There you have ten in all. There were probably 
many more who sat and listened but did not speak, 
or if they spoke, we do not know what they said. 
Count the animals in the picture. How many has 
the artist shown that are not mentioned in the 
story ? 

To act this story, then, you must have ten people 
who are animals that speak, and as many more as 
you please that listen. 

Where are these people to be, and what will they 
do? Go back to the story. It tells you. '^AU 
the animals sat around in a circle.^' Little Mouse 
^^sat at the left of Lion.'' See him in the picture. 
Where is Coyote ? He is the head of the council. 
All the animals will look at him. Now your council 
can begin. How does it say the animals spoke ? 
Lion roared. Bear growled. Sheep bleated (probably 
in a high voice). Mouse spoke ^^in a funny, squeaky 
little voice,'' and Screech Owl shrieked. You must 
decide for yourself how the others spoke. The 
story does not tell. 

Did everything happen in the same place ? Not 
quite. They sat in a circle until they quarrelled. 



88 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Then they all rushed to the clay bank, and each 
began to model a figure. How can you act that ? 
Move from your, seats in the circle to other seats, 
and each go to work on something. If you have 
nothing to work with, pretend to work with your 
hands. Or fold a piece of paper. ^^ At sundown they 
stopped to sleep. '^ One by one you must put your 
heads down and pretend to go to sleep — all but 
Coyote. ^^He went on working.'' Then he went 
around and destroyed every model. Coyote must 
go about and pick up, or pretend to pick up, the work 
of each animal. ^^ Then he returned to his own figure 
and worked steadily." When it was finished, he 
said, ^^Let this figure live and be a Man." 

The story is finished. Your acting is over. Coy- 
ote must have been very much pleased with his 
^^Man." Perhaps it can stay on a desk or window 
sill, while you go on with other work. But you have 
lived a story. You have been for a few minutes not 
yourselves, but Coyote, Lion, Bear, Sheep, Beaver, 
Owl, and all the other animals. Did you have a 
good time ? Then live this story again to-morrow, 
with different children taking the parts of each ani- 
mal, and some day go on to the next. All the 
stories in this book are good to live in and to act. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 89 

HANS, THE SHEPHERD BOY (Page 7) 

I. Hans and the Hunter 

Where are we ? In a great wood, near fields. 
How many people are there ? Hans and the hunter. 
But Hans must have his flock of sheep^ which lets 
every child in the room be in the play. Hans is 
watching his sheep. The hunter comes (from the 
hall or closet). ^^Here, boy/' he calls from a dis- 
tance. Hans calls back. All the while, the hunter 
is walking towards him and they speak less loudly. 
Hans shakes his head. As you read the story, try 
to see the two. The hunter is trying by word, look, 
and gesture to persuade the boy ; but Hans says, 
^'No, sir.'' He does not want to tell the hunter 
that he does not trust him. But the hunter pulls 
the truth out of him — and then is not cross but 
laughs. 

II. The Hunter turns out to be a Prince 

Several men come, two in advance. ^^My lord,'^ 
cries the first ; ^^ Ah, we have found you," the second. 
Hans looks on, astonished, then frightened, and falls 
on his knees. (Learn to kneel on one knee, resting 
it on the floor and bending the other.) The Prince 
smiles, speaks, and puts his hand on the boy's shoul- 
der. With his words the play ends. 



90 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE STORY THAT HAD NO END (Page 10) 

To act a story^ as you see, you must become very 
well acquainted with it. You must treat it as if it 
were a person and ask questions of it. Sometimes 
it will answer all your questions ; but often you will 
have to answer some of them yourself as you think 
the story would if it were longer. This is a story of 
that sort. 

What kind of questions shall we ask? First, 
who are the people in it ? Then, where did it happen ? 
That is, the place? Lastly, what happened? Or 
the incidents or action? (^^ Incident " is another 
word for ^' happening.") 

People : A King, his Prime Minister, story-tellers, 
a jailer, and the man who told the story that had 
no end. But the book does not tell it all. A King 
may have servants who are not mentioned. Whom 
do you see in the picture ? His Queen may come to 
listen to the stories, and her ladies with her. There 
may be courtiers, nobles, and gentlemen in waiting. 
Before you act this story, plan how many persons 
you will have in the first scene, how many in the 
second. 

Place : This story does not describe the place, but 
where do you suppose it happened ? The King was 
at home. The story-tellers would be brought to 
his audience room in the palace. Notice that both 
scenes happened in the same place. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 91 

Incidents: The title of the first part is ^' The 
King^s Wish/' The words of the story describe 
only the beginning and end of the scene. '^ Once 
upon a time there was a King. . . . He would sit 
by the hour listening to stories. '' Here is your 
chance to use a group of courtiers and have a story- 
telling scene, ending with the conversation between 
the King and the Prime Minister. 

The second part gives the real story. The farmer 
comes to the Prime Minister (who is near the door 
at the opposite end of the room from the King). He 
makes his offer ; it is repeated to the King ; he is 
brought in. The boy who is farmer has a splendid 
chance not to drone out his words, but to act as if it 
really were the most interesting story in the world 
to tell how he ^^ sowed one seed, and another, and 
another and — '' The part of the King, too, can 
be very well done, showing first his weariness, then 
his impatience and anger, and at the end his 
amusement. 

THE BRAHMAN, THE TIGER, AND THE SIX 
JUDGES (Page 14) 

People: How many in all? How many together 
at any one time? The picture shows the last 
scene, where the Tiger is back in the cage, and 
the Jackal is looking on with delight at his own 
cleverness. 



92 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Places: Seven. Plan to have the Brahman and 
the Tiger walk a long distance between each of the 
two judges. 

Incidents : Seven. See the parts of the story. 

THE MAN, THE BOY, AND THE DONKEY 

(Page 21) 

People : At least ten who speak ; others looking on. 
Place : Again you travel round the room. 
Incidents: Four. 

A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES (Page 24) 

People : Tom ; Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did ; 
Water babies. 

Place : At the bottom of the ocean. 
Incidents: Two. 

How many of you have read the book from which 
this chapter is taken ? If )^ou have, and know Tom 
well, it will help you to be a good water baby. You 
will play about more easily and happily, and be more 
grieved when Tom ^^ puts stones in the anemones' 
mouths '' ; and you will say more sternly, ^^ Take 
care, Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did is coming. '^ 

But if you have not read the book, the picture will 
give you all the help 3^ou need. That is what the 
pictures are for, to show how the artist thinks the 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 93 

people looked, and when you know how they looked^ 
and read what they did and said, the story will act 
itself. 

THE KING OF THE CATS (Page 28) 

People : Two brothers ; the cat ; dogs. 

Place : The main room of their cottage, with a 
fireplace, two chairs beside it, and a table (set in the 
second scene for supper). The cat must sit near a 
door through which he can disappear. 

Incidents : Two. Remember that '' actions speak 
louder than words.'' Show the restless, anxious 
brother at home, looking often out of the window ; 
then the weary brother returning home, eating his 
supper almost in silence. The cat is the hero, but 
he has the gift of speech for only one sentence at the 
end. 

FABLES IN VERSE (Page 31) 

In ^^ The Mountain and the Squirrel '' you have 
only the second part of the story. How did the 
quarrel begin? Read the Squirrel's words to see 
what the Mountain must have said. 

THE BOY WHO WONDERED (Page 36) 

People : How many who speak ? How many who 
listen ? 

Place : Think how you will place each scene. 



94 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Jack leaves the road to go out of sight for each of his 
stops (to the back of the room, or the door, or a 
closet). You hear the conversation between him 
and the axe, the pickaxe, and the walnut, but the 
brothers do not. Each time he returns and reports 
it. 

Incidents : How many ? Who takes part in each ? 

HOW THE INDIAN GOT FIRE (Page 45) 

People : Look back at the picture of the animal 
council in the first story. How many of the same 
animals will you have at this council ? Who was not 
there before ? 

Place : Where can Indian hide near the cabin of 
the women ? How can you manage the race, making 
it quick without confusion? How can you mark 
off the river ? 

Incidents : The action stops when Frog drops fire, 
but the story tells more. You must show Indian 
with a fire, around which some of the animals sit 
while others are afraid. Frog will croak, and the 
birds laugh at him. Some one — perhaps Indian — 
must tell why he croaks. He might tell the story to 
his son. 

PRUDENT HANS (Page 51) 

Grethel will need a knife and a goat, and Hans, a 
rope to lead her home with. Every play will seem 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 95 

more real if you have a few of the ^^ things '' that are 
used in the story. These we shall call by the name 
which they are given in real plays, ^^ properties/' 
It is a good word, for property means something 
belonging to you, and properties here mean things 
that belong to the play. 

ALICE'S ADVENTURES WITH THE QUEENS 

(Page 55) 

This is a story that will dramatize itself. When 
you have turned several stories into plays, you will 
find that you do not have to search for the dramatic 
parts. As you read the story, they come out to 
meet you, and you see how the play will go. 

A STONE IN THE ROAD (Page 66) 

People : A tall dignified Duke ; a farmer ; a 
knight who holds his head very high ; prosperous 
merchants. How can you show your audience which 
is which ? 

Incidents : The picture will give ideas for the last 
scene. 

MR. WIND AND MADAM RAIN (Page 71) 

Notice how much of the beauty of this French 
story comes from the sounds. Think how wind 
sounds, and make the voices of the wind spirits as 
like it as 5^ou can. Remember how rain falls, ^^ drip, 



96 DRAMATIC READINGS 

drip, drop/' and try to be the rain. You cannot 
bring all the mystery of wind and rain into your 
room, but you can try, and learn how beautiful the 
description is by trying. 

HOW A GIRL HID A GOVERNOR (Page 79) 

This story closes the first part of the book. Read 
over all the ^^ helps '' and see how many of the ideas 
you can use in playing it. Read the story till you 
know how the little girl felt when the officer came, 
and how the governor felt hidden under the hnen. 
Then you will make this the best play of all. 



PART TWO 



HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING^ 
I. The Proclamation 

King Uther was dead, and none knew who should 
reign over England in his stead. Moreover, the land 
stood in great peril, for every lord that was mighty 
made himself strong, and many desired to be king. 
Wherefore Merlin and the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury took counsel together and sent by proclamation 
for all the great nobles to come to London to a 
council. 

^^To all lords of the realm and gentlemen of arms/' 
the parchment read, ^^be it known by these presents, 
that ye are hereby summoned, under pain of cursing, 
to come even unto London at Christmas; and for 
this cause, that on that night it may be shown by 
some miracle who should be king of all England. 
Make ye therefore your lives clean that your prayers 
may be more acceptable unto God, for this land has 
stood long in peril without a ruler, and it may please 
God, whose Son was born on that night to be king 

1 See page 210 for Helps for Dramatization of the stories in 
Part Two. 

99 



100 DRAMATIC READINGS 

of all mankind; to show who should be king of this 
realm.'' 

II. The Sword in the Churchyard 

So all the lords and gentlemen of arms, and the 
common people as well, went up to London, to the 
church of St. Paul's to see who should be king. And 
when they came out of the church after the morning 
prayers were over, there in the churchyard stood a 
great stone, like unto marble, that had not been 
there before, and in the middle was an anvil of steel 
a foot high. In this anvil stood a fair sword, naked 
to the point, and about the sword were written in 
letters of gold these words : 

^' Whoso puUeth this sword out of the stone, he is 
rightwise born king of all England." 

Then all the people marvelled, and went and told it 
to the archbishop. And when the prayers were done, 
he and all the lords went into the churchyard and 
read the strange lettering. Then did such as would 
be king try the sword, one after another. But 
though they were mighty men, and though they 
put forth all their strength, yet could they not 
stir it. 

^^He is not here," said the archbishop, ^Hhat shall 
move the sword, but doubt not God shall make him 
known. This is my counsel, that we choose ten 
knights, men of good fame, who shall guard the 



HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING 101 

sword. Then will we have on New Yearns day a 
great joust and tournament, to which every lord, 
knight, and baron in the land shall be welcome. 
Perchance on that day God will make known to us 
who should win the sword and be our king.^' 

And all the lords and gentlemen of arms said, 
^^It is well.'' 

III. Arthur goes Home and Returns 

On New Year's Day, the barons rode to the field, 
some to joust and some to tourney. And it so 
happened that Sir Hector rode unto the field, and 
with him Sir Kay and young Arthur. And as they 
rode. Sir Kay found that he had left his sword at his 
father's lodging. So he prayed young Arthur to 
ride back for it. 

^^I will well," said Arthur, and went back quickly. 

But when he came to the house, the lady and all 
of the household were out to see the jousting. So 
he could not get in to fetch the sword. Then was 
Arthur troubled and angry, for he said, ^^What will 
my brother Kay do without a sword ?" 

But he bethought him of a sword he had noticed 
as he rode along the way. 

^^I will ride," he said, ^Ho the churchyard and 
take the sword that I saw sticking there in the stone, 
for my brother must not be left without a sword 
this day." 



102 DRAMATIC READINGS 

When he came to the churchyard Arthur ahghted, 
and tied his horse to the stile and came to the sword. 
(There were no knights there because they were all 
at the jousting.) So he took the sword by the 
handle and pulled it lightly out of the stone. It 
came forth straightway. Then rode he on and de- 
livered the sword to Sir Kay. 

As soon as Sir Kay saw the sword; he knew well 
that it was the sword of the stone. So he rode to 
his father^ Sir Hector, and said : 

^^Sir, here is the sword of the stone. Therefore 
I must be rightful king of all this land.'' 

IV. The Three at the Church 

Sir Hector knew the sword as well as did Sir Kay, 
and he said right sternly to his sons, ^^Come ye with 
me.'' So they all three went to the church whither 
he led them. Then he strode up the aisle to the altar, 
and turning to his son, said sternly, ^^Now, Kay, 
swear on God's holy book how you came by that 
sword." 

^^Sir," said Kay, and fear made him tell the truth, 
^^by my brother Arthur, for he brought it to me." 

^^How did you get the sword?" said Sir Hector 
to the boy. 

^'Sir, I will tell you," rephed Arthur. ''When I 
came home for my brother's sword, I found nobody 
at the house to deliver it to me. But I thought my 



HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING 103 

brother Kay should not be swordless. So I came 
hither eagerly and pulled out of the stone this sword 
which I had seen sticking there/' 

^^ Found ye any knights about this sword V asked 
Sir Hector. 

''None/' said Arthur. 

''Now/' said Sir Hector^ "I understand that you 
must be king of this land." 

"Wherefore I?" said Arthur^ "and for what 
cause?" 

"Sir/' said Hector^ "because God will have it so. 
For there should never man have drawn out this 
sword but he that shall be rightwise king of this land. 
Now let me see whether you can put the sword there 
as it was and pull it out again." 

"That is not hard/' said Arthur; and so he put 
it into the stone. 

Then Sir Hector tried to pull out the sword; but 
strain as hard as he would he could not stir it. 

"Now try/' said Sir Hector to Sir Kay. And he 
pulled at the sword with all his might; but it would 
not move. 

"Now shall ye try/' said Sir Hector to Arthur, 

"I will well/' said Arthur^ and pulled it out easily. 

Therewith Sir Hector sank to his knees, as Sir 
Kay alsO; and they bared their heads. 

"Alas!" said Arthur, "my own dear father and 
brother, why kneel ye to me ?" 



104 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^Nay, my lord Arthur/' said Sir Hector, '4t is 
not so ; I was never your father, nor of your blood. 
For Merlin delivered you to me while yet you were 
a^ babe. But now know I that ye were of a higher 
blood than I thought you were.'' 

Arthur was grieved when he heard that Sir Hector 
was not his father, for he loved him as his own 
blood. 

^^Sir/' said Hector unto Arthur, ^^will you be my 
good and gracious lord when you are king?" 

^^Else were I to blame," said Arthur, ^^for you are 
the man in all the world to whom I owe most, and 
am most in debt, and my good lady and mother 
your wife, who have kept me and loved me as your 
own. And if ever it be God's will that I be king, 
as you say, you shall desire of me what I may do and 
I will not fail you. God forbid that I should fail 
you." 

Then they went to the archbishop and told him 
how the sword was drawn out and by whom. 

V. Arthur draws out the Sword 

On Twelfth Day all the barons came and all who 
desired did try to draw the sword from the stone. 
But none of them could move it. While they stood 
there, angry and disappointed, the archbishop 
turned to Sir Hector and bade him bring forth 
Arthur. As the tall, fresh-faced lad strode through 



HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING 105 

their midst, the barons looked at him with surprise, 
for they knew him not, and it had not been told them 
that he had drawn the sword out. 

^^My son/^ said the archbishop gravely, ^^it has 
been told me that it has been given to you to do this 
deed. Now therefore, in the sight of all men, take 
hold of this sword and see if ye can draw it from the 
stone. ^' 

The lords and barons looked on with amazement, 
and man}^ spoke scornful words aloud, as the young 
man walked to the sword. He took the handle in 
his hand, and drew it out lightly. Then arose cries 
of wrath. Swords flashed from their sheaths, and 
bitter words were spoken. 

'^How now?^' said the lord of Orkney. ^^What 
trick is this to set a boy to rule over us ?^' 

^^What child is this?^' cried another. ^^This is 
no way to choose a king.'' 

^^It is naught but a churchly trick,'' shouted 
another. 

^^ Peace, peace," cried the archbishop sternly. 
^^With our own eyes have we seen this wonder 
done." 

^^Ay," spoke a brave knight, ^^but it would be a 
shame to us all to have the realm governed by a youth 
of no high blood." 

^^Do ye accept the sign of the stone?" said the 
archbishop. 



106 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^We do not/' cried the lords and barons. 

^^Hear ye then my word/' said the archbishop 
sternly. ^^Ye have seen what this lad has done, 
and none of you but he could do it. Go ye now to 
your homes, and abide there until Candlemas. Then 
shall none say that we acted in haste. But between 
now and Candlemas let ten knights watch this 
sword, five by day and five by night, always on watch, 
that none meddle with it. At Candlemas come ye 
again, and as many more as desire, and we will try 
once again this test.'' 

^^It is well," said the lords and barons, and they 
shortly scattered to their own homes. 

VI. Arthur draws the Sword Again 

Yet again came they at Candlemas, and tried 
once again ; but though the lords and barons put 
forth all their strength, none could draw out the 
sword save the boy Arthur, and for him it came out 
lightly and easily. But still the lords and barons 
were angry, and declared in their indignation that 
Arthur should not be their king. And once again 
they separated at the archbishop's word, but this 
time ten knights, the noblest and most trusted in 
the realm, went at the archbishop's command with 
young Arthur, and were always with him day and 
night, lest he be harmed. 



HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING 107 




Arthur Making his Vows 



108 DRAMATIC READINGS 

VII. Arthur chosen King 

At the feast of Pentecost all manner of men tried 
to draw out the sword^ but none might prevail save 
Arthur. He pulled it out before all the lords and 
common people that were there. Then all the people 
cried aloud : 

^^ We will have Arthur for our king ; we will have 
no more delay^ for we see that it is God's will that 
he shall be our king. Whoever holdeth out against 
it, we will slay him.'' 

Then they all bowed their heads, lords and barons 
alike, and begged mercy of Arthur because they had 
delayed so long. And Arthur forgave them, and took 
the sword between both his hands, and offered it on 
the altar where the archbishop stood. So Arthur 
was made king before lords and people. Before 
them all he did solemnly swear to be a true king, and 
to stand with true justice from that time all the days 
of his life. And all the lords and commons did him 
honor, and promised to give him true service. 

Before they separated, when all had taken the oath, 
the archbishop told them that their king was indeed 
of high blood, being none other than the son of Uther 
Pendragon, their former king, who had intrusted 
him at his birth to Merlin, the wise man of the realm, 
to care for and protect him. Then were all the lords 
and barons and common people glad beyond measure 
that this their new king was Uther's son. 



THE NECKLACE OF TRUTH 109 

THE NECKLACE OF TRUTH 
I. CoRALiE AT Merlin's Palace 

Once upon a time there was a little girl named 
Coralie, who enjoyed telling falsehoods. She seemed 
to have no idea of the truth, but said whatever she 
pleased or found convenient. Her parents tried to 
cure her, and at last resolved to take her to the 
enchanter Merlin. 

Merlin lived in a glass palace. Every one could 
see everything he did, and he never tried to conceal 
one of his deeds, nor to make others believe what was 
not true, either by speaking a falsehood or by being 
silent when he might have spoken. 

When Coralie was brought before him by her 
parents, her mother began nervously, ^^We have 
brought our daughter to you. Merlin, because — 
because,'' and she hesitated. 

'^I know why you have come, good lady,'' he said. 
^^I felt and saw your daughter's approach a long 
time ago. She tells untruths." 

Coralie was ashamed and hid her head under her 
mother's apron. Merlin spoke so severely that both 
her father and her mother were alarmed. Her 
father stepped before her to protect her. 

^^Do not be afraid," said Merlin. ^^I am not going 
to hurt your little girl. I am only going to make her 
a beautiful present." 



110 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



He opened a drawer and took from it a beautiful 
amethyst necklace^ with a diamond clasp. This he 
put on Coralie's neck^ arid said : '^ Go in peace^ good 
people^ and have no more anxiety. Your daughter 
takes with her a sure guardian of truth.'' 




To Coralie he said sternly: ^^In a year I shall 
come for my necklace. Till then you must wear it 
constantly. Woe be to you if you dare to take it 
off for a single instant !'' 

^^Oh, I shall always wear it V^ exclaimed Coralie. 
^^I shall want to^ it is so beautiful.'' 

^^We thank you for your kindness^ Merlin/^ said 
the father as they departed. 



THE NECKLACE OF TRUTH HI 

II. CoRALiE AT School 

The day after Coralie returned from her journey 
to Merhn^s palace, she went to school. ' The little 
girls crowded around her, crying out in admiration 
at the sight of her necklace. 

^^ Where did it come from? Where did you get 
it?'' they asked. 

^^I was sick for a long time/' replied Coralie. 
^^When I got well, my father and mother gave me 
this necklace." 

^^Why, what is the matter with it ?" 

^^It was so pretty, but now the stones look dull ! '^ 

'^What has happened ?" 

These were the cries that arose from all sides. 

^^What are you making such a fuss about?" 
asked Coralie. 

^^Now they are an ugly yellow, and look like 
glass." 

Coralie looked down at her necklace and was 
frightened. 

^^I have been to the enchanter Merlin's," she 
said humbly, and the necklace took on its former 
beauty. But the children laughed at her, and 
pointed to it still. 

'^ You need not laugh," cried Coralie, ^^for he wel- 
comed us with all respect. He sent his carriage to 
the next town to meet us, such a splendid carriage, 



112 DRAMATIC READINGS 

with six white horses^ satin cushions^ a coachman, 
and three tall footmen. When we reached his 
palace, which is all of gold and marble, he met us 
at the door and took us into the dining room. There 
stood a long table covered with delicious things to 
eat. There was — '^ 

Coralie stopped, for the children were shouting 
with laughter. 

^^Look down.'' 

^^ Just look at your necklace." 

Coralie looked and shuddered. With each new 
bit she had invented, the necklace had become 
longer and longer, until now it dragged on the ground. 

^^ You are stretching the truth, Coralie,'' cried the 
girls. 

^^Well, I confess it; we walked and stayed only 
five minutes." 

The necklace shrank instantly to its proper size. 

^^Ah ! that was the truth," said one of the girls. 
^^See ! it is just as it was when you first came." 

^^And the necklace — the necklace — where did 
it come from?" 

^^ He gave it to me without saying a word. He — " 

She could not finish. The fatal necklace grew 
shorter and shorter till it choked her. 

^^You are holding back part of the truth," cried 
her playmates. 

^^He said — that I told untruths." 



THE NECKLACE OF TRUTH 113 

The necklace loosened, but she still cried from pain. 

^^That was why Merlin gave me the necklace. He 
said that it was a guardian of truth. What a fool 
I have been to be proud of it !^' 

Her companions were sorry for her. 

^^If I were in your place/' said one of them, ^^I 
should send the necklace back. Handsome as it is, 
it is too troublesome.'' 

Poor Coralie did not want to speak, but the girls 
were waiting for an answer. 

'alike to wear it." 

The little girls watched the stones turn dull, and 
began to laugh again. 

'^ There is a reason which you are keeping from us." 

''Well, since I must tell you everything — he for- 
bade me to take it off, telling me some dreadful 
misfortune would come to me if I did." 

The little girls went back to school, and thanks to 
the necklace Coralie became a truthful girl. Before 
long she became so accustomed to telling the truth 
that she thought no more about it. Long before 
the year was up. Merlin came for the necklace. He 
needed it for another child who told falsehoods. 

No one seems to know what has become of the 

wonderful necklace of Truth. But if I were a child 

in the habit of telling falsehoods, I should not feel 

quite sure that it might not some day be found again. 

Retold from the French of Jean Mace. 



114 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE MILLER OF THE DEE 

There dwelt a miller hale and bold 

Beside the river Dee ; 
He worked and sang from morn till night. 

No lark more blithe than he ; 
And this the burden of his song 

Forever used to be^ — 
^^I envy nobody; no^ not I, 

And nobody envies me !'' 

^^Thou'rt wrongs my friend !'' said old King Hal, 

^^Thou'rt wrong as wrong can be; 
For could my heart be light as thine, 

I^d gladly change with thee. 
And tell me now what makes thee sing, 

With voice so loud and free. 
While I am sad, though I^m the king. 

Beside the river Dee ?'^ 

The miller smiled and doffed his cap. 

^^I earn my bread, '^ quoth he; 
^^I love my wife, I love my friend, 

I love my children three ; 
I owe no penny I cannot pay, 

I thank the river Dee, 
That turns the mill, that grinds the corn, 

To feed my babes and me/' 



THE JUST JUDGE 115 

^^Good friend/^ said Hal, and sighed the while, 

^^. Farewell ! and happy be ; 
But say no more, if thou'st be true. 

That no one envies thee. 
Thy mealy cap is worth my crown, 

Thy mill my kingdom's fee ; 
Such men as thou are England's boast, 

miller of the Dee.'' 

C. Mack AY. 



THE JUST JUDGE 

An Arabian Tale 
I. Bou-Akas Shows Kindness 

Bou-Akas, at one time chief ruler of Algeria, 
hearing that the judge of one of his twelve tribes 
settled the cases that came before him with remark- 
able wisdom, decided to find out for himself the truth 
of the report. Accordingly, dressed like an ordinary 
traveller, without arms or attendants, he set out for 
the judge's town, mounted on an Arabian horse. 

He was just entering the gate of the town when a 
cripple, seizing the border of his garment, asked him 
for money. Bou-Akas gave him a coin, but the 
cripple still held his garment fast. 

^^What do you want ?" asked the ruler. ^^I have 
given you money." 



116 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^' Yes/' replied the beggar, ^^ but knowest thou not 
that the law says not only, ^Thou shalt give alms 
to thy brother/ but also, 'Thou shalt do for thy 
brother whatsoever thou canst ^ V^ 

''Well ! and what can I do for thee ?'' 

"Thou canst save me — poor cripple that I am 
— • from being trodden under the feet of men, horses, 
mules, and camels, which would certainly happen to 
me in passing through the crowded square in which 
a fair is now being held.'' 

"And how can I save you ?" 

"By letting me ride behind you, and putting me 
down safely in the market place, where I have busi- 
ness." 

"Be it so," replied Bou-Akas. And stooping 
down, he helped the cripple to get up behind him. 

II. The Cripple's Claim 

Many stared at the curious couple on the horse's 
back as they passed through the crowded streets. 
At length they reached the market place. 

"Is this where you wish to stop?" asked Bou- 
Akas. 

"Yes." 

"Then get down." 

"Get down yourself." 

"What for?" 

"To leave me the horse." 



THE JUST JUDGE 117 

^'To leave you my horse ! What do you mean by 
that?^' 

^^I mean that he belongs to me. Do you not 
know that we are now in the town of the just judge ? 
If we bring the case before him^ he will certainly 
decide in my favor/^ 

^'Why should he do so^ when the animal belongs 
tome?^' 

^^ Don't you think that when he sees us two, you 
with your strong, straight limbs, which Allah has 
given you for the purpose of walking, and me with 
my weak legs and lame feet, he will decide that the 
horse belongs to him who has the most need of him ? '' 

^^ Should he do so, he would not be the just judge,'^ 
said Bou-Akas. 

^^Oh, as to that,'' replied the cripple, laughing, 
^^ although he is just, he is not all-wise." 

^^This," said the ruler to himself, ^^will be a good 
opportunity for judging the judge." To the cripple 
he said, ^^I am content. We will go before him." 

III. Before the Judge 

When they arrived at the court where the judge 
sat, they found two cases waiting, which would be 
heard before theirs. The first was between a learned 
man and a peasant. A woman stood with them. 

^^This woman," said the peasant, ^^is my wife, 
but this learned man claims her as his." 



118 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^No/' said the learned man. ^^The peasant's 
claim is absurd. She is my wife, with whom I have 
lived these many years.'' 

^^ And what have you to say ?" asked the judge of 
the woman. ^^ Which of these two is your hus- 
band?" 

But the woman remained silent, and would not 
say she was the wife of either. 

The judge thought for a moment, and then said, 
^^ Leave the woman here, and return to-morrow." 

Each bowed and retired. The next case was 
called. This was between a butcher and an oil 
merchant. 

The butcher spoke first, and said : 

^^I went to buy some oil from this man, and, in 
order to pay him for it, I drew a handful of money 
from my purse. The sight of the money tempted 
him. He seized me by the wrist. I cried out, but he 
would not let me go. And here we are, having come 
before you, honored judge, I holding my money in 
my hand, and he still grasping my wrist." 

Then the oil merchant spoke : 

^^This man came to buy oil from me. When his 
bottle was filled, he said, ^Have you any change for 
a piece of gold?' I searched my pocket and drew 
out my hand full of money. He seized it, and was 
walking off with my money and my oil, when I 
caught him by the wrist, and cried out ^Robber.' 



THE JUST JUDGE 



119 



He would not give up the money. So I brought him 
here that you, honored judge, might settle the case/' 

The judge thought for a moment, and then said, 
^^ Leave the money with me, and return to-morrow.'' 

The butcher placed the coins, of which he had 
never let go, on the judge's seat. Then the two 
bowed and departed. 

It was now the turn of Bou-Akas and the cripple. 

^^My lord judge," said Bou-Akas, ^^I came hither 
from a distant country, intending to purchase cloths 




120 DRAMATIC READINGS 

and spices. At the city gate I met this cripple, who 
first asked for alms, and then prayed me to allow him 
to ride behind me through the streets, lest he be 
trodden by the crowd. I consented, but when we 
reached the market place, he refused to get down, 
declaring that my horse belonged to him, and that 
you would surely decide it to be the property of hinu 
who wanted it most. That, my lord judge, is what 
happened.'^ 

^^My lord,'' said the cripple, ^^as I was coming on 
business to the market, I saw this man seated by the 
road, looking half dead from weariness. I kindly 
offered to take him up behind me, and let him ride 
as far as the market place, and he eagerly thanked 
me. But what was my astonishment when, on our 
arrival, he refused to get down, and said that my 
horse was his. I immediately insisted that he ap- 
pear before you, that you might decide between us. 
That is the truth of the case.'' 

The judge listened to both. 

^^ Leave the horse here and return to-morrow," he 
said. 

It was done, and the two departed. 

IV. The Next Morning 

The next morning a number of people besides those 
concerned came together to hear the judge's words. 
The learned man and the peasant were called first. 



THE JUST JUDGE 121 

^^Take away thy wife/' said the judge to the 
learned man, ^^and keep her/' Then, turning to an 
officer, he added, pointing to the peasant, ^^Give 
this man fifty blows/' 

The learned man took away his wafe, and the officer 
led the peasant off. 

Then the butcher and the oil merchant were brought. 

^^Here," said the judge to the butcher, ^^is thy 
money ; it is truly thine and not his." Then, point- 
ing to the oil merchant, he said to a second officer, 
^^Give this man fifty blows." 

It was done, and the butcher went away in triumph 
with his money. The third case was then called, 
and Bou-Akas and the cripple came forward. 

^^ Would you know your horse among twenty 
others?" said the judge to Bou-Akas. 

^^Yes, my lord." 

^^ And you?" 

^^ Certainly, my lord," replied the cripple. 

'^Follow me," said the judge to Bou-Akas. 

They entered a large stable, and Bou-Akas pointed 
out his horse among twenty which were standing 
side by side. 

'^It rs well," said the judge. ^^ Return now to the 
court and send the cripple here." 

The ruler obeyed, gave the message, and the 
cripple hastened to the stable. He, too, placed his 
hand at once on the right animal. 



122 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^It is well/^ said the judge. ^'Return to the 
court/' 

The judge took his place again. 

^^The horse is thine/' he said to Bou-Akas. ''Go 
to the stable and take him.'' Then turning to the 
officer^ ''Give this man fifty blows." It was done. 
The cripple was led away by the officer^ and Bou-Akas 
went to take his horse. 

V. Bou-Akas and the Judge 

When the judge, after trying other cases, was 
leaving the court, he found Bou-Akas waiting for 
him. 

"Are you not satisfied with my judgment ?" asked 
the judge. 

"No, quite the opposite," replied the ruler. "But 
I want to ask by what means you rendered justice ; 
for I doubt not that the other two cases were decided 
as correctly as mine. I am not a merchant. I am 
Bou-Akas, Sheik of Algeria, and I wanted to judge 
for myself of your oft-reported wisdom." 

The judge bowed to the ground before his 
master. 

"I am anxious," said Bou-Akas, "to know the 
reasons which determined your three decisions." 

"Nothing, my lord, can be more simple. Your 
Highness saw that I held over for a night the three 
things in dispute." 



THE JUST JUDGE 123 

^^ Early in the morning I had the woman called, 
and I said to her suddenly, ^ Put fresh ink in my ink- 
stand/ Like a person who had done the same thing 
a hundred times before, she took the bottle, removed 
the cotton, washed them both, put the cotton in 
again, and poured in fresh ink, doing it all with the 
utmost neatness and skill. So I said to myself, 
'A peasant's wife would know nothing about ink- 
stands. She must belong to the learned man.''' 

^^Good," said Bou-Akas, nodding his head. ^^And 
the money ?" 

^^Did your Highness notice that the merchant had 
his clothes and hands covered with oil ?" 

^^Certainly Idid." 

^^I took the money and placed it in a vessel filled 
with water. This morning I looked at it and not a 
drop of oil was to be seen floating on the water. — 
So I said to myself, ^If this money belonged to the 
oil merchant, it would be oily from the touch of his 
hands ; as it is not so, the butcher's story must be 
true.'" 

Bou-Akas nodded his approval. 

^^Good," said he. ^^ And my horse ?" 

'^Ah ! that was a different business. Until this 
morning I was greatly puzzled."* 

^^The cripple, I suppose, did not pick out the right 
animal." 



124 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^On the contrary^ he pointed him out immedi- 
ately.'' 

^^How, theri; did you find out that he was not the 
owner?'' 

^^ My object in bringing you separately to the stable 
was not to see if you would know the horse, but if 
the horse would know you. Now when you ap- 
proached him, he turned toward you, laid back his 
ears, and neighed with delight ; but when the cripple 
touched him, he kicked. Then I knew that you were 
truly his master." 

Bou-Akas thought for a moment, and then 
said : 

^^ Allah has given you great wisdom. You ought 
to be in my place, and I in yours. But I fear I could 
not fill your place as judge." 



KEEPING SHOP 

Miss Hepzibah Pyncheon, an old gentlewoman, is 
forced to earn her living by keeping a '' cent shop '^ in her 
ancestral home, the House of the Seven Gables. 

I. The First Customer 

Miss Hepzibah Pyncheon sat in an oaken elbow- 
chair, with her hands over her face, giving way to 
that heavy down-sinking of the heart which most 
persons have experienced on the eve of an enterprise 



KEEPING SHOP 125 

at once doubtful and momentous. She was suddenly 
startled by the tinkling alarm — high, sharp, and 
irregular — of a little bell. The shop bell, right 
over her head, tinkled as if it* were bewitched. The 
old gentlewoman^s heart seemed to be attached to 
the same steel spring, for it went through a series 
of sharp jerks, in unison with the sound. 

^^ Heaven help me!" she groaned mentally. 
^^Now is my hour of need !'' 

The door, which moved with difficulty on its 
creaking and rusty hinges, being forced quite open, 
a square and sturdy little urchin became apparent, 
with cheeks as red as an apple. He was clad in a 
blue apron, very wide and short trousers, shoes 
somewhat out at the toes, and a straw hat, with his 
curly hair sticking through its crevices. A book 
and a small slate under his arm indicated that he 
was on his way to school. 

He stared at Hepzibah a moment, not knowing 
what to make of the queer scowl with which she 
regarded him. 

^^Well, child,'' she said, taking heart at the sight 
of a person so little formidable, — ^^well, my child, 
what did you wish for ?'' 

^^That Jim Crow, there, in the window,'' answered 
the urchin, holding out a cent and pointing to the 
gingerbread figure that had attracted his notice; 
^Hhe one that has not a broken foot." 



126 DRAMATIC READINGS 

So Hepzibah put forth her long arm, and taking 
the figure from the shop window, dehvered it to her 
first customer. 

^^No matter for the money/' said she, giving him a 
Httle push toward the door. It seemed such pitiful 
meanness to take the child's pocket money in ex- 
change for a bit of stale gingerbread. '^No matter 
for the cent. You are welcome to Jim Crow.'' 

The child, staring with round eyes, took the man 
of gingerbread and left the shop. No sooner had 
he reached the sidewalk (little cannibal that he was !) 
than Jim Crow's head was in his mouth. As he had 
not been careful to shut the door, Hepzibah closed it 
after him, with an ejaculation about the troublesome- 
ness of young people, and particularly of small boys. 

She had just placed another representative of the 
renowned Jim Crow at the window when again the 
shop bell tinkled. Again the door, thrust open, 
disclosed the same sturdy little urchin who, pre- 
cisely two minutes ago, had made his exit. The 
crumbs and discoloration of the cannibal feast were 
exceedingly visible about his mouth. 

^^What is it now, child ?" asked the maiden lady, 
rather impatiently ; ^^did you come back to shut the 
door?" 

^^No," answered the urchin, pointing to the figure 
that had just been pni up ; ^^I want that other Jim 
Crow." 



KEEPING SHOP 127 

^^ Well, here it is for you/' said Hepzibah, reaching 
it down. But recognizing that this customer would 
not quit her on any other terms, so long as she had a 
gingerbread figure in her shop, she partly drew back 
her extended hand, — ^^ Where is the cent ?'' 

The little boy had the cent ready, but, like a true- 
born Yankee, would have preferred the better bar- 
gain. He put the coin into Hepzibah's hand and 
departed, sending the second Jim Crow in quest of 
the former one. 

The new shopkeeper dropped the first solid result 
of her enterprise into the till. It was done. What 
was she now ? Simply Hepzibah Pyncheon, the 
keeper of a cent shop ! 

Customers came in, as the forenoon advanced, 
but rather slowly ; and in some cases, too, it must be 
owned, with little satisfaction either to themselves 
or Miss Hepzibah; nor, on the whole, with very 
rich reward to the till. 

A little girl, sent by her mother to match a skein 
of cotton thread of a peculiar hue, took the one that 
the near-sighted old lady pronounced extremely 
like, but soon came running back with a blunt and 
cross message that it would not do. 

No less than five persons, during the forenoon, 
inquired for ginger beer, or root beer, or any similar 
drink, and obtaining nothing of the kind, wxnt off 
in an exceedingly bad humor. Three of them left 



128 DRAMATIC READINGS 

the door open^ and the other two pulled it so spite- 
fully in going out that the little bell jangled Miss 
Hepzibah's nerves. 

A round; bustling^ ruddy housewife of the neigh- 
borhood burst breathless into the shop, fiercely 
demanding yeast ; and when the poor gentlewoman, 
with her cold shyness of manner, gave her hot cus- 
tomer to understand that she did not keep the article, 
this very capable housewife took upon herself to 
administer a rebuke. 

^^A cent shop, and no yeast!'' said she; ^Hhat 
will never do ! Who ever heard of such a thing ? 
Your loaf will never rise, no more than mine will 
to-day. You had better shut up shop at once." 

^^Well,'' said Hepzibah, heaving a deep sigh, 
^'perhaps I had !'^ 

II. A New Shopkeeper 

That night Phoebe, Miss Hepzibah's little cousin from 
the country, came unexpectedly to visit. 

^^ Cousin Phoebe,'' said Hepzibah the next morn- 
ing, as they sat at the breakfast table, ^^I really 
can't see my way to keep you." 

^^Dear cousin," said Phoebe, frankly and cheer- 
fully, ^^I cannot tell how it will be. But I really 
think we may suit one another much better than you 
suppose." 

^^Itis not any question as to that point which 



KEEPING SHOP 129 

makes me hesitate/^ continued Hepzibah. ^^But, 
Phoebe, this house of mine is but a melancholy 
place for a young person to be in. You see what I 
am, a dismal and lonesome old woman, whose temper, 
I am afraid, is none of the best. I cannot make your 
life pleasant. Cousin Phoebe, neither can I so much 
as give you bread to eat.^' 

^^You will find me a cheerful little body," an- 
swered Phoebe, smiling, and yet with a kind of gentle 
dignity ; ^^and I mean to earn my bread." 

The shop bell rang sharply, and Hepzibah set 
down the remnant of her final cup of tea with a look 
of despair that was piteous to see. 

^^Do not trouble yourself, dear cousin!" cried 
Phoebe, starting lightly up. ^^I am shopkeeper 
to-day." 

^^You, child!" exclaimed Hepzibah. ^^What can 
a little country girl know of such matters?" 

^^Oh, I have done all the shopping for the family 
at our village store," said Phoebe. ^^ And I have had 
a table at a fancy fair, and made better sales than 
anybody. You shall see what a nice little sales- 
woman I am !" 

The old gentlewoman stole behind Phoebe, and 
peeped from the passageway into the shop, to 
note how she would manage her undertaking. It 
was a case of some intricacy. A very ancient woman, 
in a white short gown and a green petticoat, with a 



130 DRAMATIC READINGS 

string of gold beads about her neck, and what looked 
like a nightcap on her head, had brought a quantity 
of yarn to barter for the commodities of the shop. 
She was probably the very last person in town who 
still kept the time-honored spinning wheel in con- 
stant revolution. It was worth while to hear the 
croaking and hollow tones of the old lady, and 
the pleasant voice of Phoebe, mingling in one 
twisted thread of talk; and still better, to con- 
trast their figures, — so light and bloomy, — so 
decrepit and dusky, — with only the counter betwixt 
them, in one sense, but more than threescore years, 
in another. As for the bargain, it was wrinkled sly- 
ness and craft pitted against native truth and 
sagacity. 

^^Was not that well done?'^ asked Phoebe, laugh- 
ing, when the customer was gone. 

^^ Nicely done, indeed, child !'' answered Hep- 
zibah. ^^I could not have gone through with it 
nearly so well. It must be a knack.'' 

It really seemed as if the battered visage of the 
House of the Seven Gables, black and heavy-browed 
as it certainly looked, must have shown a kind of 
cheerfulness glimmering through its dusky windows, 
as Phoebe passed to and fro in the interior. Other- 
wise, it is impossible to explain how the people of 
the neighborhood so soon became aware of the girl's 
presence. There was a great run of custom, setting 



KEEPING SHOP 131 

steadily in, from about ten o'clock until towards 
noon, — relaxing, somewhat, at dinner time, but 
recommencing in the afternoon, and, finally, dying 
away half an hour or so before the long day's sunset. 
One of the stanchest patrons was little Ned Higgins, 
the devourer of Jim Crow and the elephant, who 
to-day had signalized his omnivorous prowess by 
swallowing two dromedaries and a locomotive. 
Phoebe laughed as she summed up her aggregate 
of sales upon the slate, while Hepzibah, first draw- 
ing on a pair of silk gloves, reckoned over the accumu- 
lation of copper coin, not without silver intermixed, 
that had jingled into the till. 

^'We must renew our stock, Cousin Hepzibah ! '' 
cried the little saleswoman. ^^The gingerbread 
figures are all gone, and so are those Dutch wooden 
milkmaids, and most of our other playthings. There 
has been constant inquiry for cheap raisins, and a 
great cry for whistles, and trumpets, and jew's-harps ; 
and at least a dozen little boys have asked for 
molasses candy. And we must contrive to get a 
peck of russet apples, late in the season as it is. But, 
dear cousin, what an enormous heap of copper ! 
Positively a copper mountain !'^ 

Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the Seven 
Gables. 



132 DRAMATIC READINGS 

A BOY^S FRIENDSHIP 
I. The Meeting of the Two Boys 

^^Get out of Mr. Fletcher's road, you idle, lounging 
little—'' 

'^Vagabond/' I think the woman (Sally Watkins, 
once my nurse) was going to say, but she changed 
her mind. 

My father and I both glanced round, surprised 
at her unusual hesitation ; but when the lad ad- 
dressed turned, and made way for us, we ceased to 
wonder. Ragged, muddy, and miserable as he 
appeared, he was anything but a ^Vagabond." 

^^Thee need not go out in the wet, my lad. Keep 
close to the wall, and there will be shelter enough 
for both us and thee," said my father, as he pulled 
my little hand-carriage into the alley, under cover, 
from the pelting rain. 

The lad, with a grateful look, put out a hand like- 
wise, and pushed me farther in. A strong hand it 
was — roughened and browned with labor — though 
he was scarcely as old as I. What would I not have 
given to have been so stalwart and so tall ! 

Sally called from her house door, ^^ Wouldn't 
Master Phineas come in and sit by the fire a bit ?" 

But it was always a trouble to me to move, and 
I liked staying at the mouth of the alley watching 



A BOY'S FRIENDSHIP 133 

the shower come sweeping down the street ; besides, 
I wanted to look again at the stranger lad. 

He had scarcely stirred, but remained leaning 
against the wall, either through weariness or in order 
to be out of our way. It was a serious face for a 
boy of only fourteen. Once there came a sudden 
stream of light. I saw the stranger lad lift up his 
head and look at it. 

^^The rain will be over soon/' I said, but doubted 
if he heard me. What could he be thinking of so 
intently ? 

I do not suppose my father gave a second thought 
to the boy, whom, from a common sense of justice, 
he had made take shelter beside us. I saw, by the 
hardening of his features, and the restless way in 
which he poked his stick into the little water pools, 
that he was longing to be in his tanyard close by. 
He pulled out his great silver watch. 

^^Twenty-three minutes lost by this shower, 
Phineas, my son ; how am I to get thee safe home ? 
Unless thee will go with me to the tanyard — '' 

I shook my head. 

^^ Well, well, I must find some one to go home with 
thee. Here, Sally! Sally Watkins!'' he called. 
^^ Do any of thy lads want to earn an honest penny ? ^' 

Sally was out of earshot ; but I noticed that as 
the lad near us heard my father's words, the color 
rushed over his face, and he started forward. 



134 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^Sir, I want work. May I earn the penny ?'^ 
Taking off his tattered old cap, he looked in manly, 
fearless fashion, right up into my father's face. 

''What is thy name, lad ?'' 

''John Halifax.'^ 

"How old might thee be, John Halifax?'^ 

"Fourteen, sir.'' 

"Thee art used to work?" 

"Yes." 

"What sort of work?" 

"Anything I can get to do." 

"Well," said my father after a pause, "thee shall 
take my son home, and I'll give thee a groat. Shall 
I give thee the groat now?" And the old man re- 
laxed into a half smile. 

"Not till I've earned it, sir." 

So, drawing his hand back, my father slipped the 
money into mine, and left us. It still rained slightly, 
so we remained under cover. As soon as the rain 
ceased we took our way home, down High Street, 
toward the abbey church, he guiding my carriage 
along. 

n. At the Door 

"Ah," I cried eagerly, when we left the shade of the 
abbey trees and crossed the street, "here we are, at 
home." 

"Are you?" The homeless lad just glanced at 



A BOrS FRIENDSHIP 135 

the flight of spotless stone steps, guarded by ponder- 
ous raihngs, which led to my father's respectable 
handsome door. ^^ Good-day, then — which means 
good-by/' 

I started. On my sad, lonely life, this lad's face 
had come like a flash of sunshine. To let it go from 
me was like going back into the dark. 

^^Not good-by just yet,'' said I, 

^^Is there anything more I can do for you, sir?" 

^^ Don't call me ^sir' ; I am only a boy like your- 
self. I want you ; don't go yet. Ah ! here comes 
my father." 

John Halifax stood aside, and touched his cap 
with a respectful deference as the old man passed. 

^^So here thee be — hast thee taken care of my 
son? Did he give thee thy groat, my lad?" 

We had neither of us once thought of the money. 

When I acknowledged this, my father laughed, 
called John an honest lad, and began searching in 
his pockets for some larger coin. I ventured to 
draw his ear down and whisper something but I 
got no answer ; meanwhile, John Halifax for the 
third time was going away. 

/^Stop, lad — I forget thy name — here is thy 
groat, and a shilling added, for being kind to my 
son." 

^^ Thank you; but I only want payment for 
work." 



136 DRAMATIC READINGS 

He took the groat, and put back the shilUng into 
my father's hand. 

^^Eh !'' said the old man, much astonished ; ^Hhee 
art an odd lad ; but I can't stay talking with thee. 
Come in to dinner, Phineas. I say/' turning back to 
John Halifax with a sudden thought, ^^art thee 
hungry?" 

^^Very hungry." Nature gave way at last, and 
great tears came into the poor lad's eyes. ^^ Nearly 
starving." 

^^ Bless me ! then get in and have thy dinner. 
But first" — and my stern father held him by the 
shoulder; ^Hhee art a decent lad, come of decent 
parents?" 

^^Yes," almost indignantly. 

^^Thee works for thy living ?" 

'^1 do whenever I can get work." 

^^Thee has never been in jail ?" 

^^No !" thundered out the lad, with a furious look. 
^^I don't want your dinner, sir ; I would have stayed, 
because your son- asked me, and he was kind to me, 
and I liked him. Now I think I had better go. 
Good-day, sir." 

I caught him by the hand and would not let him go, 

^^ There, get in, lads — make no more ado," said 
my father sharply, as he disappeared. 

So, still holding him fast, I brought him into my 
father's house. 



A BOY'S FRIENDSHIP 137 

III. Getting Acquainted 

Dinner was over ; and as soon as my father was 
away to the tanyard I sent for John. 

Jael brought him in ; Jael, the only woman we had 
about us. There had evidently been wrath in the 
kitchen. 

^^Phineas/' she said, ^Hhe lad has got his dinner, 
and you mustn't keep him long. I am not going to 
let you knock yourself up with looking after a beggar 
boy." 

A beggar boy ; the idea seemed so ludicrous that 
I could not help smiling at it, as I regarded him ; 
though his clothes were threadbare, all but ragged, 
they were not unclean ; and there was a rosy, healthy 
freshness in his tanned skin which showed he loved 
and delighted in water. A beggar boy indeed ! I 
hoped he had not heard JaeFs remark. But he had. 

"Madam,'' said he, with a bow of perfect good 
humor, and even some sly drollery, "you mistake; 
I never begged in my life ; I'm a person of independ- 
ent property, which consists of my head and my two 
hands, out of which I hope to realize a large capital 
some day." 

I laughed to see him so merry. Jael retired, 
rather cross. John Halifax came to my easy-chair, 
and in an altered tone asked me how I felt, and if he 
could do anything for me before he went away. 



138 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^ You'll not go away — not till my father comes 
home; at least ?'' 

My entreaty was so earnest that it apparently 
touched the friendless boy to the core. 

^^ Thank you/' he said, in an unsteady voice; 
'^you are very kind; I'll stay an hour or sO; if you 
wish it." 

^^Then come and sit down here, and let us have a 
talk." 

What this talk was I cannot now recall, save that 
it ranged over many and wide themes, such as boys 
delight in, chiefly of life and adventure. He knew 
nothing of my only world — books. 

Jael kept coming in and out of the parlor, eyeing 
us suspiciously, especially when she heard me laugh- 
ing — a rare and notable act — for mirth was not 
the fashion in our house, nor the tendency of my 
own nature. Now this young lad, hardly as the 
world had knocked him about even already, had an 
overflowing spirit of quiet drollery and healthy 
humor, which was to me an inexpressible relief. But 
all this was highly objectionable to Jael. 

^^Phineas !" — and she planted herself before me 
at the end of the table — ^4t's a fine, sunshiny day : 
thee ought to get out." 

^^I have been out, thank you, Jael." And John 
and I went on talking. 

^^Phineas !" ^ a second and more determined 



A BOY'S FRIENDSHIP 139 

attack — ^^too much laughing is not good for thee ; 
and it's time this lad was going about his own busi- 
ness. '^ 

^^Hush ! Nonsense, Jael/' 

^^No — she's right/' said John Halifax, rising. 
^^IVe had a merry day — thank you kindly for it; 
and now I'll be gone." 

^^Why do you want to go? You have not any 
work?" 

''No ; I wish I had. But I'll get some." 

''How?" 

"Just by trying everything that comes to hand. 
That's the only way. I never wanted bread, nor 
begged it yet, though I've often been rather 
hungry." 

"Come," I said, for now I had quite made up my 
mind to take no denial and fear no rebuff from my 
father, "cheer up. Who knows what may turn 
up?" 

" Oh, yes, something always does ; I'm not afraid." 
He tossed back his curls, and looked smiling out 
through the window at the blue sky. 

"Come into the garden, then"; for I caught 
another ominous vision of Jael in the doorway, and 
I did not want to vex my good old nurse. 

I lifted myself, and began looking for my crutches. 
John found and put them into my hand, with a grave, 
pitiful look. 



140 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^You don't need this sort of thing/' I said, 
making pretense to laugh, for I had not grown used 
to them, and felt often ashamed. 

^^I hope you will not need them always/' 

^^ Perhaps not — Dr. Jessop isn't sure." 

John looked at me — troubled, compassionate — 
but he did not say a w^ord. I hobbled past him, he 
following through the long passage, to the garden 
door. There I paused — tired out. John Halifax 
took gentle hold of my shoulder. 

^^I think, if you did not mind, I'm sure I could 
carry you. I carried a meal sack once, weighing 
eight stone." 

I burst out laughing, which maybe was what he 
wanted, and forthwith consented to assume the place 
of the meal sack. He took me on his back — what 
a strong fellow he was ! — and fairly trotted with 
me down the garden walk. 

^^ Please take me to that clematis arbor; it looks 
over the Avon. Now, how do you like our garden ? " 

^^It's a nice place." 

He did not go into ecstasies, as I had half expected, 
but gazed about him observantly. 

^^It's a very nice place." 

John Halifax's comprehensive gaze seemed to take 
in all. 

^^Have you lived here long?" he asked me. 

^^Ever since I was born." 



A BOrS FRIENDSHIP 141 

He went to examine the yew hedge that bounded 
the level grass plot. 

NoW; far and near, our yew hedge was noted. 
There was not its like in the whole country. It was 
about fifteen feet high, and as many thick. Century 
after century of growth, with careful clipping and 
training, had compacted it into a massive green 
barrier, as close and impervious as a wall. 

John poked in and about it, peering through every 
interstice, leaning his breast against the solid depth 
of branches, but their close shield resisted all his 
strength. 

At length he came back to me, his face glowing 
with the vain efforts he had made. 

^^What were you about? Did you want to get 
through ?'' 

^^I wanted just to see if it were possible.'' 

I shook my head. ^^What would you do, John, 
if you were shut up here, and had to get over the yew 
hedge? You could not climb it." 

^^I know that, and therefore, I should not waste 
time in trying." 

^^ Would you give up, then?" 

He smiled : there was no ^^ giving up " in that smile 
of his. ^^I'U tell you what I'd do: I'd begin and 
break it, twig by twig, till I forced my way through, 
and got out safe at the other side." 

^^ Well done, lad ! but if it's all the same to thee, I 



142 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



would rather thee did not try that experiment upon 
my hedge at present/' 

My father had come behind and overheard us^ 
unobserved. 

^^Is that thy usual fashion of getting over a diffi- 
culty, friend ? What's thy name ?'' 




I supplied the answer; for^ the minute Abel 
Fletcher appeared^ John seemed to lose all his boyish 
fun. 

My father sat down beside me on the bench ; 
pushed aside an intrusive branch of clematis ; fi- 
nally, because it would come back and tickle his 
bald pate^ broke it off and threw it into the river ; 



A BOY'S FRIENDSHIP 143 

then leaning on his stick with both hands, eyed John 
Hahfax sharply all over, from top to toe. 

^^ Did thee say thee wanted work ? It looks rather 
like it/' 

His glance upon the shabby clothes made the boy 
color violently. 

^^Oh, thee need not be ashamed ; better men than 
thee have been in rags. Would thee like some 
work?'' 

^^ Oh, sir!" 

^^Oh, father!" 

I hardly know which was the more grateful cry. 

My father looked surprised, but not on the whole 
ill-pleased. 

^^Well, what work can thee do, lad ?" 

^^ Anything," was the eager answer. 

^^ Anything generally means nothing," sharply said 
my father. 

John's eyes flashed, but a look from mine seemed 
to set him right again. 

^^I shall be willing and thankful for any work you 
can give me, sir," he said quietly and respectfully. 

^^We'U see about it." 

I looked gratefully and hopefully at my father, 
but his next words rather modified my pleasure. 

^^Phineas, one of my men at the tanyard has gone 
and enlisted this day. Dost think that this lad is 
fit to take the place ?" 



144 DRAMATIC READINGS 

''Whose place, father?'' 

''BiUWatkins's/' 

I had occasionally seen the said Bill Watkins, whose 
business it was to collect the skins which my father 
had bought from the farmers round about. A 
distinct vision presented itself to me of Bill and his 
cart. The idea of John Halifax in such a position 
was not agreeable. 

''But, father—'' 

He read disapproval in my looks — alas ! he 
knew too well how I disliked the tanyard and all 
belonging to it. "Thou art a fool, and the lad's 
another. He may go about his business for me." 

"But, father, isn't there anything else?" 

"I have nothing else, or if I had I wouldn't give 
it. 'He that will not work, neither shall he eat.'" 

"I will work," said John sturdily. He had lis- 
tened scarcely comprehending, to my father and me. 
"I don't care what it is, if only it's honest work." 

My father was mollified. He turned his back 
on me — but that I little minded — and addressed 
himself solely to John Halifax. 

"Can thee drive?" 

"That I can!" and his eyes brightened with 
boyish delight. 

"Tut ! it's only a cart — the cart with the skins. 
Dost thee know anything of tanning ?" 

"No, but I can learn." 



A BOY'S FRIENDSHIP 145 

^'Hey, not so fast; still better be fast than slow. 
In the mean time^ thee can drive the cart/' 

^^ Thank you — I'll do it well ; that is^ as well as 
I can/' 

^^'Tis done, then/' said my father, and having 
settled the question of wages, which John Halifax 
did not debate at all, he left us, but turned 
back. 

^^ Here's a week's wages in advance, my son being 
witness I pay it thee ; and I can pay thee a shilling 
less every Saturday till we get straight." 

^^Very well, sir; good afternoon^ and thank 

you." 

John took off his cap as he spoke ; my father, 
involuntarily almost; touched his hat in return of 
the salutation. Then he walked away. 

I grasped John's hand for the first time, and, 
looking up at him as he stood thoughtfully by me, 
whispered ^Hhat I was very glad." 

^^ Thank you — so am I," said he, in a low tone. 
Then all his old manner returned. He threw his 
battered cap high up in the air, and shouted out, 
^^Hurrah !" — a thorough boy. 

And I, in my poor quavering voice, shouted too. 

Dinah Mulock Craik, John Halifax, Gentleman. 



146 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE EMPEROR^S BIRD'S-NEST 

Once the Emperor Charles of Spain, 
With his swarthy, grave commanders, 

I forget in what campaign, 

Long besieged, in mud and rain. 
Some old frontier town of Flanders. 

Up and down the dreary camp 
In great boots of Spanish leather, 

Striding with a measured tramp, 

These Hidalgos, dull and damp. 

Cursed the Frenchmen, cursed the weather. 

Thus as to and fro they went. 

Over upland and through hollow^, 
Giving their impatience vent. 
Perched upon the Emperor's tent, 
In her nest, they spied a swallow. 

Yes, it was a swallow's nest. 

Built of clay and hair of horses. 
Mane, or tail, or dragoon's crest. 
Found on hedgerows east and west, 
After skirmish of the forces. 

Then an old Hidalgo said. 

As he twirled his gray mustachio,; 
"Sure this swallow overhead 



THE EMPEROR'S BIRD'S-NEST 147 

Thinks the Emperor^s tent a shed, 
And the Emperor but a Macho !'^ 

Hearing his imperial name 

Coupled with those words of malice, 

Half in anger, half in shame, 

Forth the great campaigner came 
Slowly from his canvas palace. 

^^Let no hand the bird molest/' 

Said he solemnly, '^nor hurt her V^ 
Adding then, by way of jest, 
^^Golondrina is my guest, 

'Tis the wife of some deserter !'' 

Swift as bowstring speeds a shaft, 

Through the cam.p was spread the rumor, 

And the soldiers, as they quaffed 

Flemish beer at dinner, laughed 
At the Emperor's pleasant humor. 

So unharmed and unafraid 

Sat the swallow still and brooded, 
Till the constant cannonade 
Through the walls a breach had made 

And the siege was thus concluded. ' 

Then the army, elsewhere bent, 
Struck its tents as if disbanding. 



148 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Only not the Emperor^s tent, 
For he ordered, ere he went, 

Very curtly : ^^ Leave it standing !'' 

So it stood there all alone, 

Loosely flapping, torn and tattered. 

Till the brood was fledged and flown. 

Singing o'er those walls of stone 

Which the cannon-shot had shattered. 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 



WHEN RIP VAN WINKLE CAME HOME 

Rip Van Winkle, a simple, good-natured man, who 
lived in a village among the Kaatskill mountains when 
New York was a province of Great Britain, went off into 
the mountains one day, with his dog Wolf. He met there 
a company of odd-looking personages who offered him 
wine, which he drank. Then he fell asleep, and when he 
woke, though poor Rip did not know it, he had slept 
twenty years. His dog was gone, he himself was strangely 
stiff, and as he made his way into the village things looked 
different to him. At last he came to his old resort, the 
village inn, which was in the center of the village. And 
here our scene begins. 

The people whom Rip met all stared at him, and 
then stroked their chins. When he did the same, he 
found to his astonishment that his beard had grown 
a foot long ! Soon a troop of children were running 
at his heels, hooting after him and pointing at his 



WHEN RIP VAN WINKLE CAME HOME 149 




-"^""^^S^^Tr^ -- 



Rip Van Winkle coming Home 



150 DRAMATIC READINGS 

beard. There were as usual a crowd of folk about 
the door of the inn^ but none that Rip recollected. 
A lean fellow with his pockets full of handbills 
was talking to the crowd about rights of citizens — 
election — members of Congress — liberty — Bun- 
ker hill — heroes of seventy-six — and other words 
that were a perfect jargon to the bewildered Van 
Winkle. 

The appearance of Rip, with his long beard, his 
rusty gun, and his strange dress, and the army of 
children at his heels attracted the attention of the 
crowd. They gathered round him, eyeing him with 
great curiosity. The orator bustled up to him, and 
inquired with great earnestness, ^^My good man, 
on which side do you vote?^' Rip stared in vacant 
stupidity. 

Another short but busy little fellow pulled him by 
the arm, and rising on tiptoe, inquired in his ear, 
^^ Are you a Federal or a Democrat V^ 

Then an old gentleman made his way through 
the crowd, putting them to the right and left with 
his elbows as he passed, and demanded, ^^What 
brings you to the election with a gun on your 
shoulder, and a mob at your heels ? Do you mean 
to start a riot in the village?^' 

^^Alas ! gentlemen,'' cried Rip, ^^I am a poor, 
quiet man, a native of the place, and a loyal subject 
of the King, God bless him !'' 



WHEN RIP VAN WINKLE CAME HOME 151 

Here a general shout arose — ^^A Tory! a 
Tory ! a spy ! a refugee ! hustle him ! away with 
him!^' 

When order had been restored by the old gentle- 
man^ he demanded again of Rip, what he came there 
for, and whom he was seeking. 

^^I mean no harm/^ Rip assured him. ^^I merely 
came in search of some of my neighbors.'' 

^^Well — who are they? — name them.'^ 

Rip thought a moment, and inquired, ^^ Where's 
Nicholas Vedder?" 

There was a silence for a little while, when an old 
man replied, in a thin, piping voice, ^^ Nicholas 
Vedder? why, he is dead and gone these eighteen 
years ! There was a wooden tombstone in the 
churchyard that used to tell all about him, but 
that's rotten and gone too." 

'^Where's Brom Butcher ? " 

^^Oh, he went off to the army in the beginning 
of the war ; some say he was killed at the storming 
of Stony Point — others say he was drowned in the 
squall, at the foot of Antony's Nose. I don't know 
— he never came back again." 

^^ Where's Van Bummel, the schoolmaster?" 

^^He went off to the wars, too ; was a great militia 
general, and is now in Congress." Rip's heart died 
away, at hearing of these sad changes in his home 
and friends. 



152 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^Does nobody here know Rip Van Winkle ?'' he 
cried out in despair. 

^^Oh^ Rip Van Winkle !'^ exclaimed two or three. 
^^Oh^ to be sure ! that's Rip Van Winkle yonder, 
leaning against a tree/' 

Rip looked in bewilderment. 

^^Who are you?'' demanded the old gentleman. 
^^ What is your name ?" 

^^God knows/' exclaimed he. ^^I'm not myself — 
I'm somebody else — that's me yonder — no — 
that's somebody else^ got into my shoes — I was 
myself last night, but I fell asleep on the mountain, 
and they've changed my gun, and I'm changed, and 
I can't tell what's my name, or who I am !" 

The bystanders began now to look at each other, 
nod, wink, and tap their fingers against their fore- 
heads. 

At this critical moment a fresh comely woman 
passed through the throng to get a peep at the gray- 
bearded man. She had a chubby child in her arms, 
which, frightened at his looks, began to cry. ^^Hush, 
Rip," cried she, ^^hush, you little fool; the old man 
won't hurt you." The name of the child, the air 
of the mother) the tone of her voice, all awakened a 
train of recollections in his mind. 

^^ What is your name, my good woman ?" asked he. 

^^ Judith Gardenier." 

^^ And your father's name ?" 



WHEN RIP VAN WINKLE CAME HOME 153 

^^Ah, poor man^ his name was Rip Van Winkle; 
it's twenty years since he went away from home with 
his gun, and never has been heard of since — his 
dog came home without him ; but whether he shot 
himself, or was carried away by the Indians, nobody 
can tell. I was then but a little girl/' 

^fWhere's your mother?'' 

^^Oh, she too died but a short time since." 

The man could contain himself no longer. 

^^I am your father !" cried he. ^^ Young Rip Van 
Winkle once — old Rip Van Winkle now! Does 
nobody know poor Rip Van Winkle ?" 

All stood amazed, until an old woman, tottering 
out from among the crowd, put her hand to her brow, 
and peering under it in his face for a moment, ex- 
claimed, ^^Sure enough! It is Rip Van Winkle — 
it is himself. Welcome home again, old neighbor 
— Why, where have you been these twenty long 
years?" 

^^ Twenty years ! " exclaimed Rip; ^^it is but a 
single night. I fell asleep last night on the moun- 
tain." 

The neighbors stared ; some winked at each other ; 
others shook their heads. 

^^Here comes old Peter Vanderdonk along the 
road," said one. ^^He is the oldest man in the vil- 
lage. He will know whether this tale is true or 
not." 



154 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Peter knew Rip at once. He told the company that 
the Kaatskill mountains had always been haunted 
by strange beings, and that every twenty years 
Hendrick Hudson, the discoverer of the country, 
came there with his crew. His father had once 
seen them. On the night of their vigil such a 
thing as Rip's adventure might easily have hap- 
pened. 

The company soon broke up, and Rip's daughter 
took him home to live with her. As he went they 
told him that there had been a revolutionary war — 
that the country had thrown off the yoke of old 
England — and that, instead of being a subject of 
his Majesty George the- Third, he was now a free 
citizen of the United States. 

Washington Irving, Sketch Book. 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 

Being Adventures of a Marionette 
I. The Piece of Wood 

Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It 
was not a fine wood, but a simple piece of wood from 
the wood pile, — the kind we put in stoves and fire- 
places to make a fire and heat our rooms. 

I do not. know how it happened, but one beautiful 
day a certain old woodcutter found a piece of this 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 155 

kind of wood in his shop. The name of the old man 
was Antonio, but everybody called him Master 
Cherry on account of the point of his nose, which 
was always shiny and purplish, just like a ripe 
cherry. 

II. Master Cherry and the Piece of Wood 

As soon as Master Cherry saw that piece of wood 
he was overjoyed; and rubbing his hands con- 
tentedly, he mumbled to himself : 

^^This has come in very good time. I will make 
it into a table leg.'' 

He took an axe to shape the wood ; but when he 
was on the point of striking it he stopped with his 
arm in the air, because he heard a tiny, thin little 
voice say : 

^^Do not strike so hard V^ 

How surprised good old Master Cherry was ! 
He turned his bewildered eyes around the room in 
order to see whence that little voice came ; but he 
saw no one. He looked under the bench, and no 
one was there ; he looked in a sideboard which was 
always closed ; he looked in the basket of chips and 
shavings ; he opened the door in order to glance 
around his house ; still he could see no one. 

^^I understand," he said, laughing and scratching 
his wig; ^'I imagined I heard that little voice. I 
will begin to work again.'' 



156 DRAMATIC READINGS 

He took up the axe and gave the piece of wood 
another hard blow. 

^^Oh ! you have hurt me !'' cried the Uttle voice, 
as if in pain. 

This time Master Cherry was dumb. His eyes 
were nearly popping out of his head ; his mouth 
was opened wide. 

As soon as he could speak he said, trembling and 
stammering from fright : 

^^But where does that little voice come from that 
says, ^ Oh ' ? There is nothing alive in this room. 
Can it be that this piece of wood has learned to cry 
and scream like a baby ? I cannot believe it. This 
is an ordinary piece of wood for the fireplace, like all 
the other pieces with which we boil a pot of beans. 
What next ? What if there is some one hidden 
inside ? If there is, so much the worse for him. I 
will settle him.'' 

And saying this, he seized with both hands the 
poor piece of wood and knocked it against the wall. 
Then he stopped to listen, so as to hear if any voice 
complained. He waited two minutes and heard 
nothing. 

^^I understand,'' he said, forcing a laugh and rub- 
bing his wig; ^^I imagined that I heard a voice cry 
^Oh !' I will begin to work again." 

Because he was somewhat frightened, he tried to 
hum an air so as to make himself courageous. At 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 157 

the same time he stopped working with the axe and 
took up a plane to make the wood even and clean ; 
but while he planed he heard again the little voice, 
speaking this time in laughing tone. 

^^Stop ! stop ! you are taking the skin off my 
body/' 

This time poor Master Cherry was so startled that 
he fell down as if shot. 

At this moment there was a knock at the 
door. 

^^Come in/' said the woodcutter, without having 
strength enough to arise. 

A lively old man entered the room. 

^^Good morning, Master Antonio/' said he. 
^^What are you doing on the ground?" 

^^I am teaching the ants their ABC's. What 
has brought you here, Brother Geppetto?" 

^^I have come to ask a favor of you, Master An- 
tonio." 

^^Here I am, prompt to serve you !" replied the 
woodcutter, raising himself on his knees. 

^^This morning I had an idea." 

^^Let me hear it." 

^^I thought that I would make a pretty wooden 
marionette ; I mean a wonderful marionette, one 
that can dance, walk, and jump, even turn somer- 
saults. With this marionette I wish to travel 
through the world and earn for myself my bread." 



158 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^What then^ Brother Geppetto, is the favor that 
you wish from me ?'' 

^^I should like a piece of wood to make a marion- 
ette. Will you give it to me ?'' 

^^ Gladly/' said Master Antonio^ taking up the 
piece of wood that had frightened him so. But 
when he was about to hand it to GeppettO; the piece 
of wood gave a spring, and slipping violently from 
his hands; fell and struck the shins of poor Geppetto. 

^^ Ah ! you are very polite when you give presents ! 
Truly; Master Antonio, you have almost lamed me.'' 

^^I swear to you that I did not do it." 

^^ Surely it was you who threw the piece of wood at 
my legs." 

^^I did not throw it. The fault is all in the wood." 

^^ Truly?" 

^^ Truly!" 

Geppetto looked very much puzzled, but picked 
up the piece of wood in his arms. 

^^Well, thank you, Master Antonio," he said, and 
went limping away. 

III. PiNOCCHIO AND THE TALKING CrICKET 

Geppetto's home consisted of one room on the 
ground floor. The furniture could not have been 
more simple, — a broken chair, a hard bed, and a 
dilapidated table. Here Pinocchio, the boy marion- 
ette which Geppetto had made out of Antonio's 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 159 

piece of wood, came on the afternoon of the day that 
he was made. He pushed the door open, entered 
the room, and bolted the door. Then he threw 
himself down upon the floor and heaved a great big 
sigh of happiness. 

In a moment he heard some one crying in the 
room : 

^Tri-cri-cri.'' 

^^Who is speaking to me?^' said Pinocchio, fright- 
ened. 

^atisl.'' 

Pinocchio turned around and saw a large cricket 
that walked slowly up on the wall. 

^^Tell me. Cricket, who are you?^^ 

^^I am the Talking Cricket, and I have lived in 
this room for more than a hundred years.'' 

^^ To-day, however, this room is mine,'' said Pin- 
occhio, ^^and if you wish to do me a favor, go away 
at once, without even looking back." 

^^I will not go away from here," said the Cricket, 
^^ without telling you a great truth." 

^^Tell it to me and be gone." 

^^I have seen all that has happened to-day. I 
saw Geppetto make you out of wood. I saw your 
great eyes stare at him when he had finished them, 
and your mouth laugh at him. I saw you make 
faces at him and snatch his wig, and at last run away 
from him and get him into trouble. I saw all these 



160 DRAMATIC READINGS 

things^ and this is the truth I tell you. Woe to boys 
who rebel against their parents and who foolishly 
run away from their homes. They will never get 
along well in this worlds and sooner or later will 
bitterly repent of their conduct.'^ 

^^Sing on^ little Cricket^ if it pleases you; but I 
know that to-morrow at sunrise I shall run away, 
because if I stay here my fate will be that of all other 
boys. I shall be sent to school and made to study ; 
and I tell you in confidence that I do not wish to 
study. I mean to play and run after butterflies 
and climb trees and take little birds out of their 
nests. ^' 

^^Poor stupid little thing ! Do you not know that 
by doing so you will make a donkey of yourself, 
and everybody will make fun of you ?^^ 

^^Be still, you dismal little Cricket.'' 

^^And if it does not please you to go to school/' 
continued the Cricket in the same quiet tone of 
voice, ^^ why not at least learn a trade, so as to be able 
to earn honestly a piece of bread ?" 

^^Do you wish me to tell you ?" replied Pinocchio 
impatiently. ^^ Because among all the trades of the 
world there is only one that really suits me." 

^^ And what trade may that be ?" 

^^That of eating, drinking, sleeping, and amusing 
myself, and of living, from morning to night, an easy 
life." 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 161 

^^ Those who hve that way always end in a hos- 
pital or in prison/' 

^^Take care, Cricket, take care ! If you make me 
angry, .you will be sorry/' 

^^Poor Pinocchio ! you make me pity you/' 

^^ Why do I make you pity me ?" 

^^ Because you are a marionette; and, what is 
worse, you have a wooden head." 

At these words Pinocchio jumped up enraged, and 
taking a hammer from the bench flung it at the 
Talking Cricket. Perhaps he did not intend to do 
such a thing ; but unfortunately the hammer struck 
the little Cricket on the head, and with one last 
^^Cri-cri-cri," faintly sung, he died. 

IV. Geppetto Forgives Pinocchio 

When Geppetto came home the next morning, he 
had to punish Pinocchio for his naughty actions. 
He let the marionette cry for a long time. 

^^I promise you,'' said Pinocchio finally, sobbing 
bitterly, ^Hhat hereafter I will be a good boy." 

^^All boys," said Geppetto, ^^when they wish to 
obtain something, say that." 

^^I promise you that I will go to school. I will 
study and I will be an honor — " 

'^AU boys, when they wish to obtain something, 
tell the same story." 

^^But I am not like other boys. I am better than 



162 DRAMATIC READINGS 

all the rest and I always speak the truth. I promise 
yoU; papa^ that I will learn a trade^ and that I will 
be your consolation and your support in your old 
age/' 

^^Very well^ I will try you once more/' 

^^In order to pay you back for your kindness, I 
wish to go to school immediately." 

^^ Good boy!'' 

^^But to go to school;" said the marionette, danc- 
ing with joy, ^^ I need an A B C card." 

^^ You are right ; but how can I get one ?" 

^^That is easy. Go to the store and buy it." 

''And the money?" 

''I have none." 

''Neither have I/' added the good old man, looking 
sad. 

Pinocchio, although he was a happy boy, looked 
sad too, because real trouble is understood by every- 
body, even by boys. 

"Have patience!" cried Geppetto, suddenly 
getting up. Taking off his coat all covered with 
patches, he ran out of the house. After a little 
while he returned with an A B C card in his hand, 
but his coat was gone. The poor man was in his 
shirt sleeves. 

"And the coat, papa?" said Pinocchio, when 
Geppetto handed him the card. 

"I have sold it." 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 163 

''Why didyousellit?^' 

''Because it made me too warm/' 

Pinocchio understood the reply at once, and not 
able to restrain his feelings, he jumped up and threw 
his arms round Geppetto's neck, saying, ^^ Thank 
you, thank you/' 

• Then he started for school, and as he walked along 
he talked to himself, saying : 

^'To-day at school I wish to learn immediately 
to read ; to-morrow I will learn to write, and then 
the day after to-morrow I will learn to make numbers. 
Then with my learning I will earn many pennies^ 
and with the pennies that will fill my pocket I will 
order my papa a nice new suit of cloth. But why 
did I say cloth ? I will have one of gold and line it 
with silver and have buttons of brilliants. My poor- 
papa deserves it truly, because in order to buy me 
an A B C card so that I could learn, he is now in his 
shirt sleeves, in the cold weather too ! There are 
not many papas who would sacrifice so much.'' 

V. Pinocchio and his Money 

Pinocchio did not get to school. There was too 
much that was interesting to see in the streets. He 
happened in to a marionette theatre and was warmly 
greeted by all the marionettes on the stage, who knew 
him at once. There he fell in with the Fire Eater, 
who was alsb the proprietor, and who, on hearing 



164 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Pinocchio's story of how Geppetto had sold his coat 
to buy him an A B C card, gave him five pieces of 
gold to carry to his poor papa. And now we see 
what happened to our marionette when he had some 
of the money he had dreamed of. 

The Fire Eater kept him overnight, and early the 
next day Pinocchio started for home in all haste. 
But he had not gone far when he met a Fox and a 
Cat. 

^^Good morning, Pinocchio/' said the Fox, salut- 
ing him politely. 

^^How does it happen that you know my name?'' 
asked the marionette. 

^^I know your papa very well." 

^^When did you see him ?" 

^^I saw him yesterday at the door of his house.'' 

^^What was he doing?" 

^^He was in his shirt sleeves and was shivering 
with the cold." 

^^Poor papa! but he will shiver no more after 
to-day." 

^^Why?" said the Fox. 

^^ Because I have become a great, rich man." 

^^You a great, rich man !" said the Fox, and he 
laughed aloud. The Cat also laughed, but in order 
not to be seen laughing he stroked his whiskers with 
his two front paws. 

^^ There is nothing to laugh about," said Pinocchio, 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 



165 



angrily. ^^I am sorry to make you envious, but I 
have here, as you shall see, five beautiful gold coins/' 
At these words the Fox involuntarily gave a start 
and the Cat opened his eyes wide so that they looked 
like two green lamps ; but it was all done so quickly 
that Pinocchio did not see anything. 




^^And now/' said the Fox, ^^what are you going 

to do with all that money V^ 

'^First of all,'' replied the marionette, ^^I shall buy 

a coat for my papa, a coat of gold and silver with 

brilliants for buttons." 

''I see," said the Fox. ''And what will you do ?" 

''I shall go to school and begin to study." 

They walked along a short distance when the Fox, 



166 DRAMATIC READINGS 

stopping suddenly^ said to the marionette^ '^Should 
you like to double your money ?'' 

^^I don't understand you/' stammered Pinocchio. 

^^ Should you like to make out of those miserable 
five pieces ten ? a hundred ? a thousand ?" 

^^Why^ of course!'' said Pinocchio. ^^But how 
can I do it?" 

'^Oh; that is very easy. Instead of going home, 
come with us." 

^^ And where would you take me ?" 

''To the Country of the Owls." 

Pinocchio thought a minute, and then said reso- 
lutely : 

''No, I will not go. My papa expects me. Who 
knows how worried the poor old man may have been 
when I did not return yesterday. I know I have 
been a bad boy, and the Talking Cricket was right 
when he said, 'Disobedient boys never get along 
well in this world.' I have already had one ex- 
perience. Yesterday at the house of the Fire Eater 
I was in great danger." 

"Then," said the Fox, "you want to go home? 
All right ! go home, only so much the worse for you.'^ 

" Yes, so much the worse for you," said the 
Cat. 

"Think well, Pinocchio," added the Fox, "for you 
are throwing away a fortune." 

"A fortune," said the Cat. 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 167 

^^Your five pieces might be two thousand by to- 
morrow/' continued the Fox. 

^^Two thousand/' repeated the Cat. 

^^But how is it possible that they can become so 
many?'' asked Pinocchio^ in amazement. 

^^I will explain it to you/' said the Fox. '^You 
just know that in the Country of the Owls there is 
a magic field called ^The Field of Miracles.' In 
the ground of this field you dig a little hole and put 
in it; for example^ one gold coin. Then you cover 
it up with a little earthy and sprinkle over it a few 
drops of water which you get from a fountain near by. 
After doing that you go to bed and sleep quietly. 
During the night the gold piece will begin to grow and 
blossom. In the morning^ when you return to the 
field; what will you find ? A tree loaded with gold 
coins." 

^^If I bury five coins/' said Pinocchio excitedly, 
^^how many shall I find next morning ?" 

^^Oh/' said the Fox, ^Hhat is easily reckoned. 
You can count it on your fingers. Every gold piece 
will turn into five hundred . Multiply five hundred by 
five and you will have two thousand five hundred." 

^^Oh; how beautiful!" cried Pinocchio, jumping 
up and down with delight. ^^When I have picked 
all those gold pieces, I will give you five hundred of 
them, and I will take the other two thousand to my 
papa." 



168 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^A present to us !^' cried the Fox, disdainfully , as 
if he were offended. ^^No, indeed V^ 

''No, indeed V said the Cat. 

''We work only to enrich others/' said the Fox. 

"Only others/' agreed the Cat. 

"What kind people they are !'' murmured Pin- 
occhio to himself ; and then turning to the Fox and 
Cat he said : 

"I will go with you. How far is the Field of 
Miracles from here ?'' 

"Hardly two miles/' answered the Fox. "Will 
you come with us ? In half an hour we shall be 
there. You can sow the money quickly, and after 
a short time you can return home with your 
pockets full." 

"Come along/' said Pinocchio. 

So they walked on along the road. 

VI. At the Field of Miracles 

Before long the Fox stopped at a field which looked 
much like other fields. No one was in sight. 

"Here we are at last/' said the Fox. "Now you 
must stoop down and make a hole in the ground and 
put in it your gold coins." 

Pinocchio obeyed, dug a hole, put in the money, 
and then covered it over with earth. 

"Now then," said the Fox, "goto that spring yon- 
der and get a little water and sprinkle the ground." 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 169 

Pinocchio went to the springy and brought back' a 
Httle water in his hand. He sprinkled the spot where 
he had sown the money^ then went back and got more 
and sprinkled it again. 

'^Is there anything else to do V^ he asked. 

^^ Nothing/' said the Fox. ^^Now we shall all go 
away and spend the night at the inn. To-morrow 
morning you may return and you will find a tree 
with its branches loaded with gold coins.'' 

Pinocchio thanked the Fox and the Cat most 
heartily^ but they only bowed to him^ and wishing 
him a good harvest^ went away together. Pinocchio 
was left to spend the night as best he could. 

VII. Pinocchio Cheated 

The next morning at sunrise Pinocchio came to 
the field. As he walked along he talked excitedly 
to himself. 

^^What if instead of two thousand I should find 
five thousand ? What a rich man I should be ! I 
would have a palace and a thousand wooden horses 
and carriages to amuse me." 

He stopped to look for the tree with branches 
loaded with gold coins^ but he saw nothing. He 
took a few steps more. Nothing. He went right 
to the place where he had planted his money. There 
was nothing there. 



170 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Just then he heard a whistUng in his ears as if 
some one were laughing. Looking up he saw on a 
tree a big Parrot. 

^^Why do you laugh ?^' asked Pinocchio, angrily. 

'^I laugh at those silly wooden heads that believe 
everything that is told them.'' 

^^ Are you talking about me ?'' 

^^Yes, I mean you, poor Pinocchio. You are 
foolish enough to think that money can be planted 
and will grow like grain. I thought so once and 
to-day I suffer for it. Now I know that in order to 
make a little money honestly it is necessary to work 
with your hands or invent something with your 
head.'' 

^^I do not understand you/' said the marionette, 
who was already beginning to tremble with fear. 

"I will explain more clearly/' said the Parrot. 
^^Know then that while you slept the Fox and the 
Cat came back. They stole your money and then 
ran like the wind." 

Pinocchio stood still a moment. Then he rushed 
to the hole and began to dig up the earth with his 
hands. There was nothing there. Then he ran 
away fast towards the city. 

VIII. Pinocchio, a Sadder, Wiser Marionette 

Many months later, Pinocchio, who had learned 
many lessons since we met him last and was a wiser 



SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO 171 

if not a richer boy, was walking along with Geppetto, 
whom he had just met. Both had suffered much in 
the time since Pinocchio had run away from home, 
and Geppetto was very weak and tired. 

^^Lean on my arm/' said Pinocchio, '^and we will 
walk along as slowly as ants, and when we are tired 
we will rest ourselves/' 

'^And where shall we go ?'' said Geppetto. 

^^In search of a house where we can get a bit to 
eat and some straw to lie upon/' 

But they had not gone any distance when they 
saw two beggars asking for money. They were the 
Fox and the Cat ; but one would not have recognized 
them, they looked so poor and miserable. 

^'0 Pinocchio," cried the Fox, ^^give a little money 
in charity to two old people." 

^^Two old people," repeated the Cat. 

^^Good-by, masqueraders," replied Pinocchio; 
"you deceived me once, and now you are paying for 
it." 

"Believe us, Pinocchio, we are to-day truly 
poor." 

"Truly," repeated the Cat. 

"If you are poor, you deserve it. Remember 
the proverb that says, Stolen money will never 
bear fruit. Good-by, deceivers." 

Geppetto and Pinocchio continued their walk 
until they saw a small farmhouse. 



172 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^That house is inhabited by some one/' said 
Pinocchio. ^^Let us go and knock at the door/' 

^^Who is there?'' said a voice inside^ when they 
had knocked. 

^^We are a poor papa and his son^ without bread 
or a home/' rephed the marionette. 

^^Turn the key and the door will open/' said the 
same voice. 

Pinocchio turned the key and the door opened. 
He stood at the door and looked round, but saw 
no one. 

/^ Where is the master of this house?" asked 
Pinocchio, greatly surprised. 

^^Here I am, up here." 

Pinocchio looked up and saw on a rafter the 
Talking Cricket. 

^^Oh, my dear Cricket !" said Pinocchio, saluting 
him politely.* 

^^Now you call me your dear Cricket, do you not ? 
Do you remember the time when you struck me with 
a hammer ?" 

^^Yes, you were right, Cricket. Take a hammer 
and hit me, but spare my poor papa." 

^^I will have pity on you both and let you live 
with me in my beautiful new house which the Blue 
Goat just gave me and which is too large for me 
alone. But I wished to remind you of your bad 
manners." 



A STRANGE VISITOR 173 

'^Yes^ Cricket, you were right to tell me what you 
did. I have borne your lessons in mind, and now the 
Blue Goat tells me that if I can keep on being good, 
some day I can stop being a marionette and become 
a real live boy !'' 

Carl Collodi, Pinocchio. 



A STRANGE VISITOR 
I. The Three Brothers 

In a secluded and mountainous part of Stiria 
there was, in old time, a valley, the whole of which 
belonged to three brothers, called Schwartz, Hans, 
and Gluck. Schwartz and Hans, the two elder 
brothers, were very ugly men, with overhanging 
eyebrows and small dull eyes, which were always 
half shut, so that you couldn't see into them^ and 
always fancied they saw very far into you. They 
lived by farming the Treasure Valley, and very 
good farmers they were. They killed everything 
that did not pay for its eating. They shot the black- 
birds, because they pecked the fruit ; they poisoned 
the crickets for eating the crumbs in the kitchen ; 
and smothered the grasshoppers, which used to sing 
all summer in the lime trees. They worked their 
servants without any wages, till they would not work 
any more, and then quarrelled with them, and turned 



174 DRAMATIC READINGS 

them out of doors without paying them ; they had 
heaps of gold lying about on their floors^ yet it was 
never known that they had given so much as a penny 
or a crust in charity ; they never went to mass ; 
grumbled perpetually at paying tithes ; and were, in 
a word, of so cruel and grinding a temper as to receive 
from all those with whom they had any dealings, the 
nickname of the ^^ Black Brothers.'' 

The youngest brother, Gluck, was as completely 
opposed, in both appearance and character, to his 
seniors as could possibly be imagined or desired. 
He was not above twelve years old, fair, blue-eyed, 
and kind in temper to every living thing. He did 
not, of course, agree particularly well with his 
brothers, or rather, they did not agree with him, 

II. A Strange Visitor 

It was drawing towards winter, and very cold 
weather, and there was much suffering in the valley, 
when one day the two elder brothers had gone out, 
with their usual warning to little Gluck, who was 
left to mind the roast, that he was to let nobody in, 
and give nothing out. Gluck sat down quite close 
to the fire, for it was raining very hard, and the 
kitchen walls were by no means dry or comfortable- 
looking. He turned and turned, and the roast got 
nice and brown. 

^^What a pity,'' thought Gluck, ^^my brothers 



A STRANGE VISITOR 175 

never ask anybody to dinner. I^m sure, when 
they Ve got such a nice piece of mutton as this, and 
nobody else has got so much as a piece of dry bread, 
it would do their hearts good to have somebody to 
eat it with them/' 

Just as he spoke, there came a double knock at the 
house door, yet heavy and dull, as though the knocker 
had been tied up — more like a puff than a knock. 

^^It must be the wind,'' said Gluck ; ^^ nobody else 
would venture to knock double knocks at our door." 

No ; it w^asn't the wind : there it came again very 
hard, and what was particularly astounding to Gluck, 
who knew the timid knocks of his neighbors, the 
knocker seemed to be in a hurry, and not to be in 
the least afraid of the consequences. Gluck went 
to the window, opened it, and put his head out to 
see who it was. 

It was the most extraordinary-looking little gentle- 
man he had ever seen in his life. He had a very 
large nose, slightly brass-colored ; his cheeks were 
very round, and very red, his eyes twinkled merrily 
through long silky eyelashes, his mustaches curled 
twice round like a corkscrew on each side of his 
mouth, and his hair, of a curious mixed pepper-and- 
salt color, descended far over his shoulders. He was 
about four feet six tall, and wore a conical pointed 
cap of nearly the same height, decorated with a 
black feather some three feet long. He wore an 



176 DRAMATIC READINGS 

enormous black cloak, which must have been very 
much too long in calm weather, as the wind, whis- 
tling round the old house, carried it clear out from the 
wearer's shoulders to about four times his own 
length. 

Gluck was so perfectly paralyzed by the singular 
appearance of his visitor that he remained fixed 
without uttering a word, until the old gentleman, 
having made another, and a more energetic attack 
on the knocker, turned round to look after his fly- 
away cloak. In so doing he caught sight of Gluck's 
little yellow head jammed in the window, with its 
mouth and eyes very wide open indeed. 

^^ Hollo !'' said the little gentleman, ^Hhat's not 
the way to answer the door : I'm wet, let me in.'' 

To do the little gentleman justice, he was wet. His 
feather hung down between his legs like a beaten 
puppy's tail, dripping like an umbrella ; and from 
the ends of his mustaches the water was running 
into his waistcoat pockets, and out again like a mill 
stream. 

^^I beg pardon, sir," said Gluck, ^^I'm very sorry, 
but I really can't." 

^^ Can't what !" said the old gentleman. 

^'I can't let you in, sir, — I can't, indeed; my 
brothers would beat me to death, sir, if I thought of 
such a thing. What do you want, sir ?" 

^^ Want ?" said the old gentleman, petulantly. ^^I 



A STRANGE VISITOR 177 

want fire, and shelter ; and there's your great fire 
there, blazing, cracking, and dancing on the walls, 
with nobody to feel it. Let me in^ I say ; I only want 
to warm myself/' 

Gluck had had his head, by this time, so long out 
of the window, that he began to feel it was really 
unpleasantly cold, and when he turned, and saw the 
beautiful fire rustling and roaring, and throwing 
long bright tongues up the chimney, as if it were 
licking its chops at the savory smell of the leg of 
mutton, his heart melted within him that it should 
be burning away for nothing. ^'He does look very 
wet,'' said little Gluck; ^^I'll just let him in for a 
quarter of an hour." Round he went to the door, 
and opened it ; and as the little gentleman walked 
in, there came a gust of wind through the house 
that made the old chimneys totter. 

^^ That's a good boy," said the little gentleman. 
^^ Never mind your brothers. I'll talk to them." 

^^Pray, sir, don't do any such thing," said Gluck. 
^^ I can't let you stay till they come; they'd be the 
death of me." 

^^Dear me," said the old gentleman, ^^I'm very 
sorry to hear that. How long may I stay?" 

^^ Only till the mutton's done, sir," replied Gluck, 
^^and it's very brown." 

Then the old gentleman walked into the kitchen, 
and sat himself down by the stove. 



178 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^ You'll soon dry there, sir/' said Gluck, and sat 
down again to turn the mutton. 

^^That mutton looks very nice/' said the old gentle- 
man at length. ^^ Can't you give me a little bit?" 

^^Impossible, sir/' said Gluck. 

^^I'm very hungry/' continued the old gentleman : 
^^I've had nothing to eat yesterday, nor to-day. 
They surely couldn't miss a bit from the knuckle !" 

He spoke in so very melancholy a tone that it 
quite melted Gluck's heart. ^^They promised me 
one slice to-day, sir/' said he ; ^^I can give you that, 
but not a bit more." 

^^ That's a good boy/' said the old gentleman again. 

Then Gluck warmed a plate, and sharpened a 
knife. ^^I don't care if I do get beaten for it," 
thought he. 

III. The Return of the Brothers 

Just as he had cut a large slice out of the mutton, 
there came a tremendous rap at the door. The old 
gentleman jumped. Gluck fitted the slice into the 
mutton again, and ran to open the door. 

^^What did you keep us waiting in the rain for?" 
said Schwartz, as he walked in, throwing his um- 
brella in Gluck's face. ^^Ay ! what for, indeed, you 
little vagabond?" said Hans, administering a box 
on the ear, as he followed his brother into the 
kitchen. 



A STRANGE VISITOR 



179 



^^ Bless my soul !^' said Schwartz when he opened 
the door. 

^'Amen/' said the little gentleman^ who had taken 
his cap off^ and was standing in the middle of the 
kitchen^ bowing with the utmost possible speed. 




^^Who's that?'' said Schwartz, catching up a 
rolling-pin, and turning to Gluck with a fierce frown. 

^^I don't know, indeed, brother," said Gluck in 
great terror. 

^^How did he get in ?" roared Schwartz. 

^^My dear brother," said Gluck, deprecatingly, 
^^he was so very wet !" 

The rolling-pin was descending on Gluck's head ; 
but, at the instant, the old gentleman interposed his 



180 DRAMATIC READINGS 

conical cap, on which it crashed with a shock that 
shook the water out of it all over the room. What 
was very odd, the rolling-pin no sooner touched the 
cap, than it flew out of Schwartz's hand, spinning 
like a straw in a high wind, and fell into the corner 
at the farther end of the room. 

^^Who are you, sir?'' demanded Schwartz, turning 
upon him. 

^^ What's your business ?" snarled Hans. 

^^I'm a poor old man, sir," the little gentleman 
began very modestly, ^^and I saw your fire through 
the window, and begged shelter for a quarter of an 
hour." 

■ ^^Have the goodness to walk out again, then," 
said Schwartz. ^^We've quite enough water in our 
kitchen, without making it a drying house." 

^^It is a cold day to turn an old man out in, sir; 
look at my gray hairs." They hung down to his 
shoulders, as I told you before. 

^^Ay !" said Hans, ^Hhere are enough of them to 
keep you warm. Walk !" 

^^I'm very, very hungry, sir; couldn't you spare 
me a bit of bread before I go ?" 

^^ Bread, indeed!" said Schwartz; ^Mo you sup- 
pose we've nothing to do with our bread, but to give 
it to such red-nosed fellows as you?" 

^^Why don't you sell your feather?" said Hans, 
sneeringly. ^'Out with you." 



A STRANGE VISITOR 181 

'^A little bit/' said the old gentleman. 

^^Beoff !'' said Schwartz. 

^^Pray, gentlemen.'' 

^^Off; and be hanged !" cried Hans, seizing him by 
the collar. But he had no sooner touched the old 
gentleman's collar^ than away he went after the 
rolling-pin, spinning round and round, till he fell 
into the corner on top of it. Then Schwartz was 
very angrj^, and ran at the old gentleman to turn 
him out ; but he also had hardly touched him, when 
away he went after Hans and the rolling-pin, and 
hit his head against the wall as he tumbled into the 
corner. And so there they lay, all three. 

Then the old gentleman spun himself round in 
the opposite direction ; continued to spin until his 
long cloak was all wound neatly about him ; clapped 
his cap on his head, very much on one side (for it 
could not stand upright without going through the 
ceiling), gave an additional twist to his corkscrew 
mustaches, and replied with perfect coolness : 
^^ Gentlemen, I wish you a very good morning. At 
twelve o'clock to-night I'll call again; after such a 
refusal of hospitality as I have just experienced, you 
will not be surprised if that visit is the last I ever 
pay you." 

^^If ever I catch you here again," muttered 
Schwartz, coming, half frightened, out of the corner 
— but, before he could finish his sentence, the old 



182 DRAMATIC READINGS 

gentleman had shut the house door behind him with 
a great bang. 

^^A very pretty business, indeed, Mr. Gluck!'' 
said Schwartz. ^^Dish the mutton, sir. If ever I 
catch you at such a trick again — bless me, why, 
the mutton's been cut !'' 

^^You promised me one slice, brother, you know/' 
said Gluck. 

^^Oh ! and you were cutting it hot, I suppose, and 
going to catch all the gravy. It'll be long before I 
promise you such a thing again. Leave the room, 
sir ; and have the kindness to wait in the coal-cellar 
till I call you.'' 

IV. A Wild Night 

Such a night as it was ! Howling wind, and rush- 
ing rain, without intermission. As the clock struck 
twelve, the two brothers were awakened by a tre- 
mendous crash. Their door burst open with a 
violence that shook the house from top to bottom. 

^^ What's that?" cried Schwartz, starting up in 
his bed. 

^^Only I," said the voice of the little gentleman. 
^^You'U find my card on the kitchen table." 

The two brothers sat up in bed and stared into 
the darkness. The room was full of water, and the 
roof was off. 

Dawn came at last, and the two brothers looked 



THE BEGGARS DAUGHTER 183 

out. The Treasure Valley was one mass of ruin. 
The storm had swept away trees, crops, and cattle. 
The two crept shivering into the kitchen. The 
water had flooded the whole first floor ; corn, money, 
almost every movable thing had been swept away, 
and there was left only a small white card on the 
kitchen table. On it, in large breezy, long-legged 
letters, were engraved the words : 




RusKiN, King of the Golden River. 

THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BETHNAL 
GREEN 

I. Prologue 

^^ There was a blind beggar, who had lost his sight; 
He had a fair daughter of beauty most bright ; 
And many a gallant brave suitor had she. 
For none was so comely as pretty Bessie. 

^^And though she was of favor most fair. 
Yet seeing she was but a poor beggar^s heir. 
Of ancient housekeepers despised was she, 
Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessie. 



184 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^ Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessie did say, 
^ Good father and mother^ let me go away, 
To seek out my fortune, whatever it be/ 
Her prayer then they granted to pretty Bessie. 

^^Then Bessie, that was of beauty so bright. 
All clad in gray russet, and late in the night 
From father and mother alone parted she, 
Who sighed and sobbed with pretty Bessie. 

^^She kept on her journey until it was day. 
And went unto Rumford along the highway ; 
Where at the ^Queen's Arms^ entertained was she. 
So fair and well favored was pretty Bessie. 

^^She had not been there a month to an end. 
But master and mistress and all were her friend ; 
And every brave gallant, that once did her see. 
Was straightway in love with this pretty Bessie''' 

II. The Four Suitors 

Four suitors were begging her favors at once, 
but to all Bessie said, ^^I would not wish any gentle- 
man of high birth to marry me.'' 

Yet still they honored her and sought her favor. 

The first was a gallant young knight ; the second 
a gentleman of high degree ; the third a wealthy 
merchant of London ; the fourth, the son of her 
master, the keeper of the inn of ^'Queen's Arms." 



THE BEGGARS DAUGHTER 185 

^^If you will marry me/^ quoth the knight, '^I will 
make you a lady. My heart is so thrilled by your 
beauty that I would die for you/' 

^^Come^ marry me/' said the gentleman. ^^ You 
shall dress in silks and satins, and be as fine a lady 
as there is in the land. Oh, hear me, pretty Bessie, 
and grant me your love.'' 

^^Let me be your husband," said the merchant. 
^^You shall live in London so gallant and gay. My 
ships shall bring home rich jewels for you, and I 
will love you for ever, my pretty Bessie." 

^^Let me marry you," said the innkeeper's son, 
^^and we will live here, and you will be mistress 
sometime." 

Then Bessie sighed, and said: ^^I will obey my 
father and mother. First get their good will, and 
then return to me." 

To every one of them she made this answer. 

They all agreed to this joyfully. 

^^But where does your father dwell?" they 
asked. 

^^My father can be easily seen," she said. ^^He 
is the poor blind beggar of Bethnal, who sits daily 
begging for charity. His signs and token are well 
known ; he is always led by a dog with a bell. 
Thither may you go to find my father." 

^^Nay, then," said the merchant, ^^you are not 
for me." 



186 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^No/' said the innkeeper's son^ ^^you shall not 
be my wife/' 

^^I loathe beggars/' declared the gentleman. 
^^ Therefore now, farewell, my pretty Bessie !" 

^^Why, now/' quoth the knight, ^Hhis is not my 
way. Come what may, I weigh not true love by the 
weight of the purse. Beauty is beauty wherever 
it is found. So grant me your favor, my pretty 
Bessie. Then to your father I will go at once, and 
tell him that I love his daughter." 

/^Nay, nay," quoth his kinsmen, ^^go softly. It 
must not be so. You must not take a poor beggar's 
daughter for your wife. So say farewell to your 
pretty Bessie." 

But the good knight would not heed their advice. 
He let them talk, but he held to his purpose. 

III. At Bethnal Green 

The next morning, at break of day, he set out 
with Bessie, who was to go with him to her father. 
When the young men of the town heard this, they 
were very angry, and rode after him, saying that he 
had stolen pretty Bessie. They rode as swift as the 
wind until they came to Bethnal Green. There they 
found the knight waiting before the beggar, and 
Bessie at his side. 

The knight's kinsmen had come too, and as the 
knight spoke courteously to the blind beggar, ask- 



THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER 187 

ing his consent to his marriage with his daughter, 
they made sUghting remarks, saying : " He marry the 
daughter of a beggar/' and ^^ Indeed. She is no lady/' 

Bessie's father heard this. 

^^Nay/' said he, ^^ although I am poor, no one 
shall come and rail at my daughter. Though she 
is not decked out in velvet and pearls, yet will I 
give her a proper dowry. I will lay down my money 
against yours, and all that we drop shall go to her. 
Perchance my gold may better her birth in your 
eyes. But first you must promise and have it 
fairly understood that the gold which you drop 
must be really your own." 

^^We are agreed," said the knight's kinsmen. 

^^Then here is one for pretty Bessie," quoth the 
beggar, and he dropped a gold piece on the ground. 
The kinsmen of the knight dropped another in their 
turn. The beggar dropped a second, the kinsmen 
a second, and so it went on till the blind beggar had 
put down three thousand pounds ; and the whole 
place where they stood was covered with gold. 

^^Hold," called the knight's kinsmen. ^^Hold, 
beggar, for we have no more." 

^^Sir knight, you have fulfilled your promise," 
said the beggar. ^^ Marry my daughter, and now I 
will give another hundred pounds to buy her a gown." 

All the kinsfolk of the knight, who had seen the 
treasure on the ground, were full of pleasure that he 



188 



DRAMATIC READINGS 



was to marry a maiden so richly dowered, and they 
began to praise the beggar, her father. And those 
who had been her suitors, the merchant, the gentle- 
man, and the innkeeper's son, were furiously angry 




when they heard how the maiden who seemed to 
have nothing but her beauty and virtue to speak for 
her had proved to be the wealthiest lady in the 
county. 

IV. At the Banquet 

The marriage of the knight and the blind beggar's 
daughter was held in the church, and afterwards 



THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER 189 

all the nobles and knights and gentle ladies, who were 
the flower of all England, did go to the knight's 
castle where a splendid banquet was served. After 
the dinner was over, many of the guests began to 
talk about the bride's father. 

^^We wonder, fair lady,'' said one of the nobles 
to the bride, ^Hhat we do not see thy father here." 

^^My father declared that he w^ould not bring his 
low estate into this company." 

^^Nay," said the noble courteously, ^^on such an 
occasion his daughter's loveliness might well make 
the father !s rank forgotten." 

They had no sooner agreed to this pleasant speech 
when in came the father, clad in a velvet cloak, and 
with a velvet cap with a feather. He was led by one 
of the knight's little serving pages, and was now a 
musician, carrying in his hand a lute, whose strings 
he touched lovingly. 

^^If it please you, I will sing you a song of my 
pretty Bessie," he said. 

With that he touched his lute and sang this song : 

^^A poor beggar's daughter did dwell on a green, 
Who for her fairness might well be a queen ; 
A blithe bonny lass, and dainty was she, 
And many a one called her the pretty Bessie. 

^^Her father he had no goods and no lands, 
But begged for a penny all day with his hands ; 



190 DRAMATIC READINGS 

And yet for her marriage he gave thousands three, 
And still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessie. 

^^And her if any one do her disdain, 
Her father is ready with might and with main 
To prove she is come of noble degree. 
Therefore let none flout at my pretty Bessie. '' 

The nobles and ladies praised the song, but it was 
plain to see that they did not believe the words. 

Now Bessie rose and said modestly, ^^ Nobles, 
pardon, I pray you, my father^ who cares for me with 
blind affection.'' 

^^Nay,'' said the one who had first inquired for her 
father, a very gentle and full courteous noble, ^^nay, 
if this be thy father, he may well be proud of thee on 
this happy day. As for me I can well see that his 
face fitteth no better his rank than does his fortune. 
So, sir, if thou wilt, reveal to us thy birth and parent- 
age. Tell it on this happy day for the sake of thy 
fair daughter.'' 

^^I thank you, noble sir," responded the beggar, 
and he held his head high and spake as one knight 
to another. ^^The time has come when I know that 
I must tell my tale for the sake of my daughter and 
of this honorable knight, who has been faithful to her 
though she seemed of low degree. Give ear for a 
moment, kind ladies and gentles, and ye shall hear 
all. Long ago, when the king went over the seas to 



THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER 191 

wars in France^ there went with him many dukes and 
lords and knights, and among them young Monford. 
But; fighting in battle, he received a blow that de- 
prived him of his sight. He would have lost his 
life also, if it had not been for a baron^s fair daughter, 
who went out in the night to seek her father on the 
field, and seeing young Monford was moved with 
pity and took him away. She nursed him and 
brought him back to life, and made him her husband 
and the glad father of pretty Bessie. At first we had 
to beg our way back to England, and live by charity. 
So have we lived at Bethnal Green these many years, 
keeping only the dowry of Bessie's mother for such 
time as Bessie should wed one worthy of her. And 
thus you have learned my secret, which would never 
have been known save for the sake of my pretty 
Bessie. '^ 

Then the nobles all crowded round him, and gave 
him right cordial welcome to their midst, and the 
ladies did salute the fair bride, saying, ^^ Indeed, we 
are glad that thy father is of noble degree.'' 

Thus the feast ended with joy and delight. 

And thus endeth the tale 

^^Of a Wind beggar^s daughter most bright, 
Who late was betrothed to a knight ; 
In joy and happiness long lived he 
All with his fair lady, the pretty Bessie.'' 

From an old English ballad. 



192 DRAMATIC READINGS 

QUEEN ELIZABETH AND SIR WALTER RA- 
LEIGH 

I. The Queen^s Coming 

At this moment the gates opened^ and ushers 
began to come forth^ preceded by the band of Gentle- 
men Pensioners. After this^ amid a crowd of lords 
and ladieS; yet so disposed about her that she could 
see and be seen on all sides, came Elizabeth herself. 

The young cavalier, Walter Raleigh, had never 
yet approached so near his sovereign, and he pressed 
forward as far as the line of warders permitted. His 
companion, on the contrary, kept pulling him back- 
ward, till Walter shook him off impatiently. Un- 
bonneting at the same time, he fixed his eager gaze 
on the Queen. 

Thus the adventurous youth stood full in Eliza- 
beth's eye, — an eye never indifferent to the ad- 
miration which she excited among her subjects. 
Accordingly, she fixed her keen glance on the youth, 
as she approached the place where he stood, while a 
trifling accident happened which attracted her at- 
tention towards him yet more strongly. The night 
had been rainy, and just where the young gentle- 
man stood, a small quantity of mud interrupted the 
Queen's passage. As she hesitated to pass on, the 
gallant, throwing his cloak from his shoulders, laid 
it on the miry spot, so as to insure her stepping over 



QUEEN ELIZABETH AND SIR WALTER RALEIGH 193 













The Queen and Sir Walter Raleigh 



194 DRAMATIC READINGS 

it dry-shod. Elizabeth looked at the young man, 
who accompanied this act of devoted courtesy with 
a profound reverence, and a blush that overspread 
his whole countenance. The Queen was confused, 
and blushed in her turn, nodded her head, hastily 
passed on, and embarked in her barge without say- 
ing a word. 

^^Come along, Sir Coxcomb,^' said Blount ; ^^your 
gay cloak will need the brush to-day, I wot. Nay, 
if you had meant to make a foot-cloth of your mantle, 
better have kept Tracy's old cloak which despises 
all colors. '^ 

^^This cloak,'' said the youth, taking it up and 
folding it, ^^ shall never be brushed while in my 
possession." 

^^ And that will not be long, if you learn not a little 
more economy." 

Their speech was here interrupted by one of the 
Band of Pensioners. 

^^I was sent," said he, after looking at them at- 
tentively, ^Ho a gentleman who hath no cloak, or a 
muddy one. You, sir, I think," addressing the 
younger cavalier, ^^are the man; you will please to 
follow me." 

^^He is in attendance on me," said Blount; 
'^on me, the noble Earl of Sussex's master of 
horse." 

^^I have nothing to say to that," answered the 



QUEEN ELIZABETH AND SIR WALTER RALEIGH 195 

messenger; ^^my orders are directly from her Maj- 
esty ^ and concern this gentleman only/^ 

So sayings he walked away^ followed by Walter, 
leaving the others behind, Blount^s eyes almost 
starting from his head with the excess of his astonish- 
ment. 

II. Raleigh's Interview 

The young cavalier was in the meanwhile guided 
to the waterside by the Pensioner, and ushered to 
the Queen's barge, where he was brought into her 
presence. The muddied cloak still hung upon his 
arm. 

^^You have this day spoiled a gay mantle in our 
behalf, young man. We thank you for your service, 
though the manner of offering it was unusual, and 
something bold.'' 

^^In a sovereign's need," answered the youth, ^^it 
is each liege man's duty to be bold." 

^^ God's pity ! that was well said, my lord," said 
the Queen, turning to a grave person who sat by 
her. ^^Well, young man, your gallantry shall not 
go unrewarded. Go to the wardrobe keeper, and he 
shall have orders to supply the suit which you have 
cast away in our service. Thou shalt have a suit, 
and that of the newest cut, I promise thee, on the 
word of a princess." 

^^May it please your Grace," said Walter, hesi- 



196 DRAMATIC READINGS 

tating; ^4t is not for so humble a servant of your 
Majesty to measure out your bounties; but if it 
became me to choose — '^ 

^^Thou wouldst have gold, I warrant me/' said 
the Queen, interrupting him; ^^fie, young man ! I 
take shame to say, that, in our capital, such and so 
various are the means of thriftless folly, that to give 
gold to youth is giving fuel to fire, and furnishing 
them with the means of self-destruction. Yet thou 
mayst be poor,'' she added, ^^or thy parents may be. 
— It shall be gold, if thou wilt, but thou shalt an- 
swer to me for the use on't." 

Walter waited patiently until the Queen had done, 
and then modestly assured her that gold was still 
less in his wish than the raiment her majesty had 
before offered. 

^^How, boy !" said the Queen, ^^ neither gold nor 
garment ? What is it thou wouldst have of me, 
then?" 

^^Only permission, madam — if it is not asking too 
high an honor — permission to wear the cloak which 
did you this trifling service." 

^^ Permission to wear thine own cloak, thou silly 
boy!" said the Queen. 

^^It is no longer mine," said Walter; ^^when your 
Majesty's foot touched it, it became a fit mantle for 
a prince, but far too rich a one for its former owner." 

The Queen again blushed ; and endeavored to 



QUEEN ELIZABETH AND SIR WALTER RALEIGH 197 

cover, by laughing, a slight degree of not unpleasing 
surprise and confusion. 

^^ Heard you ever the like, my lords ? The youth's 
head is turned with reading romances. — I must 
know something of him, that I may send him safe 
to his friends. — What is thy name and birth?'' 

^^ Raleigh is my name, most gracious Queen, the 
youngest son of a large but honorable family of 
Devonshire." 

^^ Raleigh?" said Elizabeth, after a moment's 
recollection; ^^have we not heard of your service in 
Ireland?" 

^^I have been so fortunate as to do some service 
there, madam," replied Raleigh, ^^ scarce, however, 
of consequence sufficient to reach your Grace's 
ears." 

^^They hear farther than you think of," said the 
Queen, graciously, ^^and have heard of a youth who 
defended a ford in Shannon against a whole band of 
wild Irish rebels, until the stream ran purple with 
their blood and his own." 

^^Some blood I may have lost," said the youth, 
looking down, ^^but it was where my best is due; 
and that is in your Majesty's service." 

The Queen said hastily, ^^You are very young, to 
have fought so well, and to speak so well. So hark 
ye. Master Raleigh, see thou fail not to wear thy 
muddy cloak. And here," she added, giving him a 



198 DRAMATIC READINGS 

jewel of gold; in the form of a chessman^ '^I give thee 
this to wear at the collar/' 

Raleigh knelt and took from her hand the jewel. 
Walter Scott, Kenilworth. 



HARMOSAN 

Now the third and fatal conflict for the Persian 

throne was done. 
And the Moslem's fiery valor had the crowning 

victory won. 

Harmosan, the last and boldest the invader to defy, 
Captive, overborne by numbers, they were bringing 
forth to die. 

Then exclaimed that noble captive : ^^Lo, I perish in 

my thirst ! 
Give me but one drink of water, and let then arrive 

the worst !'' 

In his hand he took the goblet ; but a while the 

draught forbore. 
Seeming doubtfully the purpose of the foemen to 

explore. 

Well might then have paused the bravest — for 
around him angry foes 



HARMOSAN 199 

With a hedge of naked weapons did that lonely 
man inclose. 

^^But what fear^st thou?'' cried the Caliph^ ^^is it, 

friend; a secret blow ? 
Fear it not ! our gallant Moslem no such treacherous 

dealing know. 

/^Thou may'st quench thy thirst securely, for thou 

shalt not die before 
Thou hast drunk that cup of water ; this reprieve 

is thine — no more !'' 

Quick the Satraph dashed the goblet down to earth 

with ready hand, 
And the liquid sank forever^ lost amid the burning 

sand. 

^^Thou hast said that mine my life is, till the water 

of that cup 
I have drained : then bid thy servants that spilt 

water gather up !'^ 

For a moment stood the Caliph as by doubtful 

passions stirred — 
Then exclaimed: ^^ Forever sacred must remain a 

monarch's word ! 



200 DRAMATIC READINGS 

^^Bring another cup and straightway to the noble 

Persian give : 
Drink, I said before, and perish — now I bid thee, 

drink and hve !'' 

Richard Chenevix Trench. 



WASHINGTON AND THE SPY 
I. General Washington 

It was at the close of a stormy day in the month of 
September, that a large assemblage of officers was 
collected near the door of a building that was situ- 
ated in the heart of the American troops. The age 
and dress, and the dignity of deportment of most of 
these warriors, indicated them to be of high rank ; 
but to one in particular was paid a deference that 
announced him to be of the highest. Many a hat 
was lifted as its owner addressed this officer. At 
length the general raised his own hat, and bowed 
gravely to all around him. The salute was returned 
and the party dispersed, leaving the officer without 
a single attendant except his one aide-de-camp. 

The general spoke in those low placid tones that 
seemed natural to him. 

^^Has the man whom I wished to see arrived, 
sir?'' 

^^He waits the pleasure of your excellency.'' 



WASHINGTON AND THE SPY 201 

^^I will receive him now^ and alone, if you 
please/' 

The aid bowed and withdrew. 

II. His Conversation with the Spy 

The general then retired into the building, and 
entering an apartment that was fitted for him, he 
took a seat, and continued for a long time in a 
thoughtful attitude, like one in the habit of commun- 
ing much with himself. 

In a few minutes the door opened, and a figure, 
gliding into the apartment, stood modestly at a 
distance from the general, without speaking. His 
entrance was unheard by the officer, who sat gazing 
at the fire, still absorbed in his own meditations. 
Several minutes passed, when he spoke to himself 
in an undertone : 

^'To-morrow we must raise the curtain and expose 
our plans. May Heaven prosper them V^ 

A slight movement made by the stranger caught 
his ear, and he turned his head, and saw that he was 
not alone. He pointed silently to the fire, towards 
which the figure advanced, although the multitude 
of his garments, which seemed more calculated for 
disguise than comfort, rendered its warmth un- 
necessary. A second mild and courteous gesture 
motioned to a vacant chair, but the stranger refused 
it with a modest acknowledgment. Another pause 



202 DRAMATIC READINGS 

followed; and continued for some time. At length 
the officer arose^ and opening a desk that was laid 
upon the table near which he sat; took from it a 
small; but apparently heavy bag. 

^^ Harvey Birch;'^ he said; turning to the stranger, 
^Hhe time has arrived when our connection must 
cease ; henceforth and forever we must be strangers/' 

The peddler dropped the folds of the greatcoat that 
concealed his features; and gazed for a moment ear- 
nestly at the face of the speaker ; then dropping his 
head upon his bosom, he said; meekly : 

^^If it be your excellency's pleasure.'' 

^^It is necessary. Since I have filled the station 
which I now hold; it has become my duty to know 
many meU; whO; like yourself; have been my instru- 
ments in procuring intelligence. You have I trusted 
more than all ; I early saw in you a regard to truth 
and principle; that; I am pleased to say; has never 
deceived me — you alone know my secret agents in 
the city; and on your fidelity depend; not only their 
fortunes; but their lives.'' 

He paused; as if to reflect in order that full 
justice might be done to the peddler, and then 
continued : 

^^I believe you are one of the very few I have em- 
ployed who have acted faithfully to our cause ; and; 
while you have passed as a spy of the enemy, have 
never given intelligence that you were not permitted 



WASHINGTON AND THE SPY 203 

to divulge. To me, and to me only of all the world, 
you seem to have acted with a strong attachment to 
the liberties of America/'' 

During this address, Harvey raised his head until 
he stood proudly facing the speaker, while a faint 
flush gathered in his cheeks, and, as the officer con- 
cluded, spread over his whole countenance. 

^^It is now my duty to pay you for these services ; 
hitherto you have postponed receiving your reward, 
and the debt has become a heavy one — I wish not 
to undervalue your dangers ; here are a hundred 
doubloons ; you will remember the poverty of our 
country and attribute to it the smallness of your 
pay." 

The peddler raised his eyes to the countenance of 
the speaker ; but as the other held forth the money, 
he moved back as if refusing the bag. 

^^It is not much for your services and risks, I 
acknowledge, '' continued the general, ^^but it is all 
that I have to offer ; at the end of the campaign it 
may be in my power to increase it.'' 

^^Does your excellency think that I have exposed 
my life, and blasted my character for money?" 

^^For what, then?" 

^^What has brought your excellency into the 
field ? For what do you daily and hourly expose 
your precious life to battle ? AVhat is there about 
me to mourn, when such men as you risk their all 



204 DRAMATIC READINGS 

for their country ? No^ no^ no — not a dollar of your 
gold will I touch ; poor America has need of it all !'' 

The bag dropped from the hand of the officer, and 
fell at the feet of the peddler, where it lay neglected 
during the remainder of the interview. The officer 
looked steadfastly at the face of his companion, and 
continued : 

^^ There are many motives which might govern me, 
that to you are unknown. Our situations are dif- 
ferent ; I am known as the leader of armies — but 
you must descend into the grave with the reputation 
of a foe to your native land. Remember that the 
veil which conceals your true character cannot be 
raised in years — perhaps never.'' 

Birch again dropped his eyes, but there was no 
yielding of the soul in the movement. 

^^ You will soon be old ; the prime of your days is 
already past ; what have you to subsist on ?'' 

^^ These!'' said the peddler, stretching forth his 
hands, that were already embrowned with toil. 

^^But those may fail you; take enough to secure 
a support to your age. Remember your risks and 
cares. I have told you that the characters of men 
who are much esteemed in life depend on your se- 
crecy ; what pledge can I give them of your fidelity ? " 

^^Tell them," said Birch, advancing and uncon- 
sciously resting one foot on the bag, ^Hell them that 
I would not take the gold !" 



WASHINGTON AND THE SPY 205 

The composed features of the officer relaxed into 
a smile of benevolence, and he grasped the hand of 
the peddler firmly. 

^^Now, indeed, I know you; and although the 
same reasons which have hitherto compelled me to 
expose your valuable life will still exist, and prevent 
my openly asserting your character, in private I 
can always be your friend ; fail not to apply to me 
when in want or suffering, and so long as God giveth 
to me, so long will I freely share with a man who feels 
so nobly and acts so well. If sickness or want should 
ever assail you, and peace once more smile upon our 
efforts, seek the gate of him whom you have so often 
met as Harper, and he will not blush to acknowl- 
edge you in his true character.^' 

^'It is little that I need in this life," said Harvey ; 
^^so long as God gives me health and honest industry, 
I can never want in this country ; but to know that 
your excellency is my friend, is a blessing that I 
prize more than all the gold of England's treasury." 

The officer stood for a few moments in the attitude 
of intense thought. He then drew to him the desk, 
and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper, and gave 
it to the peddler. 

^^That Providence destines this country to some 
great and glorious fate I must believe, while I witness 
the patriotism that pervades the bosoms of her low- 
est citizens," he said. ^^It must be dreadful to a 



206 DRAMATIC READINGS 

mind like yours to descend into the grave, branded as 
a foe to liberty ; but you already know the lives that 
would be sacrificed should your real character be 
revealed. It is impossible to do you justice now, 
but I fearlessly intrust you with this certificate ; 
should we never meet again, it may be serviceable 
to your children.'' 

^^ Children !'' exclaimed the peddler, ^^can I give 
to a family the infamy of my name ?'' 

The officer gazed at the strong emotion he exhibited 
with pain, and made a slight movement towards the 
gold ; but it was arrested by the expression of His 
companion's face. Harvey saw the intention, and 
shook his head, as he continued more mildly : 

^^It is, indeed, a treasure that your excellency gives 
me : it is safe, too. There are men living who could 
say that my life was nothing to me, compared to your 
secrets. Perhaps," he continued, with a melan- 
choly smile, ^4t may be known after my death who 
was my friend ; but if it should not, there are none 
to grieve for me." 

^^ Remember," said the officer, with strong emo- 
tion, ^Hhat in me you will always have a secret 
friend ; but openly I cannot know you." 

''I know it, I know it," said Birch; ^^I knew it 
when I took the service. 'Tis probably the last time 
that I shall ever see your excellency. May God 
pour down His choicest blessings on your head !" 




Washington Honoring the Spy 
207 



208 DRAMATIC READINGS 

He paused; and moved towards the door. The 
officer followed him with eyes that expressed deep 
interest. Once more the peddler turned, and seemed 
to gaze on the placid, but commanding features of 
the general with regret and reverence, and then, 
bowing low, he withdrew. 

III. Thirty-three Years After 

It was thirty-three years after the interview which 
we have just related that an American army was once 
more arrayed against the troops of England ; but 
the scene was transferred from the banks of the 
Hudson to those of the Niagara. 

The body of Washington had long lain moldering 
in the tomb ; but he was already the acknowledged 
hero of his country and his time. An engagement 
had taken place between the British and American 
soldiery, and as darkness fell a young American lieu- 
tenant, Wharton Dunwoodie, missing one of his com- 
rades, seized a lighted fusee, and taking two of his men 
went in search of him. He was found on the side 
of the hill, unable to walk from a fractured leg. Dun- 
woodie flew to the side of his comrade, exclaiming : 

^^Ah ! dear Tom, I knew I should find you the 
nearest man to the enemy." 

^^ Softly, softly; handle me tenderly," replied 
the wounded man; ^^no, there is a brave fellow still 
nearer than myself, and who he can be I know not. 



WASHINGTON AND THE SPY 209 

He is certainly not of our regiment. He rushed out of 
our smoke, near my platoon, to make a prisoner or 
some such thing, but, poor fellow, he never came 
back ; he lies just over the hillock. I have spoken to 
him several times, but I fancy he is past answering/' 

Dunwoodie went to the spot, and found an old 
m.an of perhaps seventy. He was lying on his 
back ; his eyes were closed, as if in slumber ; his 
lips were parted in a gentle smile. His dress showed 
the poverty of its owner by the number of its re- 
pairs. A soldier's musket lay near him ; his hands 
were pressed upon his breast, and one of them con- 
tained a substance that glittered like silver. Dun- 
woodie stooped and perceived the place where the 
bullet had found a passage to his heart. The sub- 
ject of his last care was a tin box, through which the 
fatal lead had gone ; and the dying moments of the 
old man must have passed in drawing it from his 
bosom. Dunwoodie opened it, and found a paper 
from which he read aloud the following : 

^^Circumstances of political importance, which 
involve the lives and fortunes of many, have hitherto 
kept secret what this paper now reveals. Harvey 
Birch has for years been a faithful and unrequited 
servant of his country. Though man does not, 
may God reward him for his conduct ! 

^' Geo. Washington.'' 
James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy. 



210 



DRAMATIC READINGS 




In the first part of this book you have learned how 
to read a play out of a story. Now you will do the 
same with famous scenes in literature. Many of these 
selections are taken from books which you will some 
day wish to read. Now you will get acquainted 
with the characters as they appear on some one 
special occasion. The author has pictured a scene 
and described it to you. It is for you to turn it 
back into action^ speaking the words with the ges- 
tures, looks, and movements which he describes. 
Our first scene is that in which King Arthur is 
called to the throne, as it is described in Malory's 
Morte D^ Arthur, one of the oldest books of chiv- 
alry. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZATION 211 

HOW ENGLAND FOUND HER KING (Page 99) 

^'KlNG llTHERwas dead, and none knew who should 
reign over England in his stead/' You are no longer 
in your own worlds but back in old England in the 
days that are on the borderland between legend and 
history. Persons will speak differently, as you will 
see before you have finished the proclamation. You 
will meet lords and knights and archbishops. There 
will be talk of swords and tournaments. Read every 
w^ord of the story carefully to see what it tells you 
about this time in which for a little while you are to 
live. Think of what your people are like, and what 
they do, as well as who they are. Picture to your- 
self the places. Study what each incident does to 
carry on the story, and decide what to use as prop- 
erties for the sword, the stone, etc. 

In these scenes, the pictures will be a great help, 
for the artist has taken pains to show costumes and 
setting as they were in each period. 

THE NECKLACE OF TRUTH (Page 109) 

A FANCIFUL French story that makes a pretty 
story-play. The magic necklace can be im.agined, or 
Coralie can hold one end of a long string of beads be- 
hind her with her left hand and lengthen or shorten 
it at will. 



212 DRAMATIC READINGS 

THE MILLER OF THE DEE (Page 114) 

Use this as a dramatic poem^ or write a scene 
around it. 

THE JUST JUDGE (Page 115) 

In Arabia your people will move with Eastern 
slowness and dignity. Think over the characters : 
the ruler^ in the disguise of an ordinary traveller, 
yet carrying over unconsciously into his new role 
something of the dignity of his high office ; the 
cripple^ always acting a part, as beggar, as bold 
thief, as rich traveller before the judge, and lastly, 
in disgrace. The judge is the hero of the story ; yet 
he has the greatest surprise of all at the end. 

KEEPING SHOP (Page 124) 

A BEAUTIFUL colonial picture that will make a 
charming scene. The tall, angular, stern gentle- 
woman, frightened at the sound of her shop bell ; 
the '^square and sturdy little urchin^' with one idea, 
to have a Jim Crow ; the troublesome customers 
with their many demands ; then Phoebe, the new 
shopkeeper, changing everything by her sunny 
presence. 

Notice the suggestions of action that accompany 
each speech. 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZING 213 

"That Jim Crow^ there^ in the window/^ answered 
the urchin^ holding out a cent and ^pointing to the ginger- 
bread figure, 

^^What is it now, child ?^' asked the maiden lady, 
rather impatiently, 

"Well/' said Hepzibah, heaving a deep sigh. 

"Dear cousin/' said Phoebe, frankly and cheer- 
fully, 

A BOY^S FRIENDSHIP (Page 132) 

Practise the scenes of this story separately, letting 
different boys take the parts in each. Then choose 
which does it best. Notice Abel Fletcher's Quaker 
"thee^^ and "thou.'' Bring out strongly the con- 
trast between the two boys. 

THE EMPEROR'S BIRD'S-NEST (Page 146) 

This poem gives suggestions for a play with two 
or three scenes, two in which the Emperor appears 
and possibly one in between when the story is told in 
the camp. 

WHEN RIP VAN WINKLE CAME HOME (Page 148) 

One of the best-known scenes in literature, in which 
famous actors have appeared. Joseph Jefferson, 
whose acting of Rip Van Winkle made him and the 
part famous, once told our artist that his drawings 



214 DRAMATIC READINGS 

of the old man came nearer to his own idea of the 
character than those of any other illustrator. Re- 
read the story to realize what a beautiful picture 
Washington Irving has given. 

SCENES FROM PINOCCHIO (Page 154) 

A MERRY story brought from Italy. Note that 
there are many scenes with long intervals of time 
between. Play each by itself, then put them all 
together. Pinocchio is made of wood. Will he 
move easily and freely ? 

A STRANGE VISITOR (Page 173) 

The first part is not a scene, but an introduction 
to your characters. The last part needs to be made 
into a scene. What would the brothers say when 
they rose in the morning ? How did you act Wind 
when he came, in ^^Mr. Wind and Madam Rain/^ 
to visit John Peter ? 

THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BETHNAL 
GREEN (Page 183) 

This story from an old English ballad has its 
merry side in the way suitors who were afraid to 
marry a beggar^s daughter were put to shame ; 
its beauty, in the loyalty of Bessie to her father, 
and the constancy of the knight who did not ^^ weigh 



HELPS FOR DRAMATIZING 215 

true love by the weight of the purse;'' its pathos, 
in the beggar's blindness, and his misfortunes ; and 
its final satisfaction in the courtesy of the noble who 
talks with Bessie, and the pride of her honored father. 
This is a plot from which a real play could be written. 
Turn to '^King John and the Abbot" (page 219), and 
read it for suggestions as to how to turn this story 
into a play. 

QUEEN ELIZABETH AND SIR WALTER 
RALEIGH (Page 192) 

A FAMOUS scene from history, here given as it is 
described by Sir Walter Scott in Kenilworth, You 
will find many good scenes to dramatize in Scott's 
novels. Read the tournament in Ivanhoe, and try 
it. 

HARMOSAN (Page 198) 

Let two boys do the acting without speaking a 
word, while a third reads the poem aloud. Then 
let him read only the story parts while the two say the 
words of the speeches. 

WASHINGTON AND THE SPY (Page 200) 

This is not history but a scene which James Feni- 
more Cooper wrote for his story, The Spy. Yet if 
it is not true history, we can believe that it is true 



216 DRAMATIC READINGS 

to history. Such a scene might have occurred in 
Washington's deaHngs with a patriot spy. Put the 
best of yourselves into reading and acting this pa- 
triotic scene. It is no Hght matter to take, even in 
play, the part of George Washington. 



PART THREE 



KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT 

King John Second Noble 

The Abbot of Canterbury First Lady 
A Shepherd Second Lady 

A Sentinel Player 

First Noble Two Pages 

Other Nobles, Courtiers, and Ladies 

Player (standing before audience) : 

An ancient story we'll show you anon, 
Of a notable prince that was called King John, 
And we'll show you a story, a story so merry, 
Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury. 

(Bows and withdraws,) 

Scene I 

Time : A day in the year of the reign of King John. 
Place: The King^s audience chamber. 

{The King is seated on his throne , on a raised platform.) 

Sentinel (entering j and saluting) : Sir King, the 
Abbot of Canterbury is without and desireth speech 
with thee. 

King John : And well he may, since it is by our 

219 



220 DRAMATIC READINGS 

will that he is come to London. Does he come 
alone ? 

Sentinel : Nay, Sir King, twenty serving men, 
clad in velvet coats with golden chains, escort 
him. 

King : It is none too soon for me to take down his 
pride. Enough ! Bring him into our presence. 

{The Sentinel salutes and departs,) 

King : Velvet coats and golden chains, and thirty 
more men at home. Indeed ! Does he think him- 
self lord of the realm ? 

(The Sentinel returns and ushers in the Abbot ^ who is 
richly gowned in a robe trimmed with ermine.) 

Abbot (bowing his head in salute, but not kneeling) : 
Sir King, I thank thee for this summons. It is 
indeed fitting that I should come at your bidding to 
confer with you on those state matters — 

King (interrupting) : How now. Father Abbot ! 
thou art welcome to me. I hear thou art keeping a 
better house than mine, and living in greater state 
than I. What are these tales that come to me of 
one hundred guests at table, and fifty men in velvet 
coats and golden chains ? 

Abbot : My Lord King, it is all for the honor of 
the church and of the crown. 

King : Nay, methinks it is for the honor of the 
Abbot of Canterbury. 



KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT 221 

Abbot : But, Sir King, I am spending but mine 
own true-gotten goods. All that I spend is mine. 

King : Nay, proud sir, all that is in the realm of 
England is ours, and it ill befitteth our subjects to 
surpass us in estate. It savors of treason, and thou 
knowest what happens to traitors. 

Abbot : But, Sir King — 

King : Nay, I brought thee not here to talk with 
thee. I might treat thee as thou deservest and 
strike off thy head. Because I am a merciful king I 
am minded to spare thee. But thou must answer me 
questions three. Unless thou canst do this, thy prop- 
erty, and mayhap thy life, will be taken from thee. 

Abbot : And what may they be ? 

King : First, where is the centre of the earth ? 
Second, how long would it take me to ride around the 
world ? And, lastly, declare to me what I am think- 
ing about. 

Abbot : I pray thee. Sir King, the questions are 
so hard, and my wit is so shallow. Give me three 
days' grace. 

King : Three days, and not an hour more will I 
give thee. But if thou answerest not then, I will 
cut off thy head from thy body. Now be gone, and 
use those wits of yours to see if you can save your 
head, instead of working to outdo your king. 

{The Abbot departs in haste. The King sits back 
and laughs.) 



222 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Scene II 

Time : Two days later. 

Scene : The highroad near Canterbury. 

{The Abbot is riding towards home. He meets a 
shepherd with his flock.) 

Shepherd : Welcome home, my Lord Abbot, and 
what news do you bring from court ? 

Abbot : Sad news, sad news, for I have only one 
day more to live. 

Shepherd : Nay, my Lord Abbot, what ails you ? 
You are so sad, when usually you are glad and 
merry. 

Abbot : Well may a man be sad, when he has but 
one more day to live. 

Shepherd : But that cannot be true. Tell me, 
is there nothing you can do to save your life ? 

Abbot : Nothing. The King charged me at 
court with treason against his crown because I have 
lived as befits an Abbot, with serving men and proper 
food, and have entertained the guests of church 
and crown. 

Shepherd : And for that he will strike off thy 
head, as if thou were a common traitor ? 

Abbot : So he hath declared, unless I answer three 
questions, so hard that no man could answer them. 
I have been to the learned doctors of Cambridge 
and of Oxford these two long days, inquiring of 



KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT 



223 







The Abbot and the Shepherd 



224 DRAMATIC READINGS 

them, and they say that no man Hving could answer 
the questions because they are without answer and 
beyond man's knowledge. 

Shepherd : Tell me then. 

Abbot : Nay, let me have peace these last few 
hours. My mind is weary with them. 

Shepherd : My Lord Abbot, a fool may perhaps 
answer where a wise man hath too much knowl- 
edge. 

Abbot : They are these. First, where is the 
centre of the earth ? Second, how long would it 
take me to ride around the world ? Lastly, declare 
to me what I am thinking. 

Shepherd: Father, you are a man of learning. 
But do you and all the doctors and teachers of Cam- 
bridge and Oxford halt before so small a thing ? 

Abbot : Peace, fellow, dost thou jest when the life 
of a man is in forfeit ? 

Shepherd : Nay, Father, far be it from me to 
jest. I spoke in all earnestness. I think I can 
answer those questions. Take care of my sheep and 
let me go up to London in your stead. I will speak 
with the King and hear what he has to say. 

Abbot : But he will know it is not I. 

Shepherd : Not at all, for every one says we look 
alike. And I will put on a monk's robe and hood, 
and he will never know that it is not you come in 
sober dress to plead for your life. 



KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT 225 

Abbot : It is a iooVs errand, but it will give me one 
more day of life. Try it, if you will. Come back 
with me to Canterbury, and I will give you a monk's 
gown. 

(They go off together along the road,) 

Scene III 

Time : The third day. 

Place : The King's audience chamber. 

(The King is seated on a raised platform. Two pages 
stand beside him, one on either hand. Nobles, courtiers, and 
ladies are standing and seated about the room, A Sentinel 
stands at the door,) 

Sentinel (coming forward and saluting the King) : 
Sir King, the Abbot of Canterbury is without and 
desireth speech with thee. 

King John (to the nobles nearest him) : Now I 
promise you rare sport. I am about to grant an 
audience to the Abbot of Canterbury. 

First Noble : What ! He of the fifty serving 
men, who spends his time giving feasts ? 

First Lady : The serving men in velvet coats and 
golden chains ? 

King : The very same ! But hold, comes he now 
with men and in state ? 

Sentinel : Nay, Sir King, but in a monk's gown, 
and alone. 



226 DRAMATIC READINGS 

King : Ah ! it speaketh well for my plan. Go, 
bring him into our presence. 

{Sentinel salutes and withdraws.) 

Fair ladies, and gentlemen of the court, give ear 
to what shall follow, for it promiseth to be worth 
the hearing. Moreover, you shall learn much. You 
shall learn, if all goes as it should, where the centre 
of the earth is, how long it would take one to travel 
around it, and what I am thinking about. 

First Noble : Where the centre of the earth is ? 

Second Noble : The time to travel around it ? 
In faith, I doubt myself (though they say 'tis claimed 
by some of the learned doctors) if it be round — and 
as for travelling around it ! 

Second Lady : And what you are thinking ! 
That would be the hardest of all. When shall we 
hear the answers ? 

King : The Abbot of Canterbury must give them 
for you now, or be dealt with as a traitor. 

First Lady : Then am I glad that I am a lady of 
the King's court and not the worthy Abbot of 
Canterbury. 

Sentinel (entering with the Shepherd^ and escorting 
him to the throne) : Sir King, the Abbot of Canter- 
bury. 

(Salutes and withdraws. The Shepherd kneels, then 

rises.) 



KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT 227 

King : How now, Father Abbot, it is in different 
garb and with a more proper humiUty that you come 
before your king this day than three days back. 
The monk^s cloak becomes thee well, and makes thee 
look more straight and manly. But how about the 
questions ? 

Shepherd : Sir King, if — 

King : Come, now, no delay ; I am in no mood to 
be put off. 

Shepherd : If it please your Grace, show me what 
the first question was. 

King : Where is the centre of the earth ? 

Shepherd (striking his staff hard against the floor 
in front of the King^s chair) : Right here where your 
Majesty sits; and if any would be disloyal enough 
to question it, let him disprove it. 

King (graciously) : A shrewd and loyal answer. 
Now tell me how long it would take me to travel 
around the world. 

Shepherd : If your Majesty will rise with the 
sun and ride along with him, in twenty-four hours 
youll surely have been around the world. 

King (laughing) : By my faith, I did not think it 
could be done so soon. But let that pass. Shall 
we not, fair sirs and ladies of the court ? 

First Noble : Both answers suit me well. 

Others : And me ! And me ! 

King : Now, since you are so wise, answer me 



228 DRAMATIC READINGS 

this. It should be easy for you to read my mind 
after reading these riddles. What am I thinking? 

Shepherd : That is simplest of all^ your Grace. 
Unless I mistake me, your Majesty thinks I am the 
Abbot of Canterbury, but as you may see (throwing 
back his hood) I am only his poor shepherd, come to 
ask pardon for him and me. 

King (laughing merrily) : Well, well, thou hast 
more wit than thy lord, and verily, I believe I'll 
make thee abbot in his place. 

Shepherd : Nay, Sir King, I am not fit for such 
a place. I cannot read nor write. 

King : Then I'll give thee four pounds a week for 
the rest of thy life, for this merry jest thou hast told 
me : and tell the Abbot, when thou goest home, that 
thou hast brought him a pardon from good King 
John. 

(The Shepherd bows.) 

Curtain 

An old English Ballad retold. 



» 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 

The watchword of this book is that in the upper 
grades 'dramatic work should be done by the chil- 
dren^ not for them/' But in setting up this ideal; we 
recognize that its successful accomplishment de- 
pends, as do all the successes of the schoolroom, on 
the cooperation and inspiration of the teacher. 

The book has been planned for the teacher who 
wishes to provide her class with material for drama- 
tization but does not find her needs met by the school 
reader. While the simpler folk tales are easy to 
dramatize, much of the best literature is not. There 
are long, descriptive passages which cannot be easily 
turned into action even by an adult ; the fairy tales 
have magic transformations that are hard to manage : 
situations between princes and princesses which seem 
natural and spontaneous in literature may prove 
difficult when translated into action in the school- 
room. In short, the teacher and the child must do 
work which is neither necessary nor helpful along 
the lines for which dramatization is introduced. To 
dramatize a story is to put much time into it ; the 
subject should be worth this time and interest. It 

229 



230 DRAMATIC READINGS 

is to meet this need of a group of tales, episodes, and 
scenes which are suitable for dramatization, and then 
to put into the children's hands the simplest principles 
on which they are to work, that this book has been 
prepared. 

To use any dramatic book intelligently, we must 
consider the reasons for introducing dramatic work 
into the schoolroom. We have called it a ^^ practice 
book in dramatics. '^ But why ^^ practise dramat- 
ics?'' If ^^ dramatics" were a new subject, it 
would need a vigorous defense ; but it is not. It is a 
method for accomplishing certain ends on the desir- 
ability of which every one is agreed. What does the 
dramatization of a story do for the child who takes 
part in it, either as actor or audience ? 

1. It arouses his interest, thus putting him into a 
responsive mood, and gives purpose to his silent 
reading. 

2. It changes his reading aloud to ^^ speaking," 
giving to his words a quality of expressiveness which 
it is always hard to get in continuous reading. 

3. It organizes his thinking. He comes to know 
a story as a whole and in parts, to see its structure, 
and appreciate its details as neither a language lesson, 
a composition lesson, nor a reading lesson alone could 
teach it. The best dramatic teaching is a combina- 
tion of all three. 

4. It adds to all the usual reactions of a story the 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 231 

necessity to visualize — to see the situations and the 
people, and then to turn them into motor r'ctivity, 
thus carrying him around the whole circuit fro;n being 
the passive receiver to giving outward expression to 
his thought. 

5. It gives an outlet for the instinct of impersona- 
tion. ^^In certain hours of his [the child^s] study of 
literature and literary appreciation/' says Porter 
Lander MacClintock in his book, ^^ Literature in 
the Elementary School/' ^^one is ready to believe 
that this impulse towards impersonation is the very 
fundamental fact in that appreciation. It is the 
door through which one enters into the situation and 
feelings which make up the life represented in the 
story, poem, or drama. This it is that gives that 
strange grip of reality to literature.'' 

6. It takes him outside himself into the activities 
of others — always a healthy experience — and 
forces him into sharing his experiences with others. 
Where recitation is an individual accomplishment, 
dramatization is a social art, and a cooperatively 
produced drama of the most unfinished character 
is a social achievement. 

With these aims in mind, let us turn to the par- 
ticular stories, and see how we can make them con- 
tribute towards these ends. 



232 DRAMATIC READINGS 

PART I 

How all the Animals tried to make Man is the 

simplest kind of story to dramatize. The actors 
are types, not individuals — a lion, a bear. To 
impersonate them is a matter of pantomime (the 
simplest form of dramatic expression) and of speech, 
for which every word is given. The slight action 
relieves the situation of tiresomeness. The story is 
far enough outside the child^s experience to spare 
him embarrassment. The boy or girl who would 
halt at '' playing a part '^ will find it easy to ^^ be a 
bear '^ ; and the whole class may be included in the 
group of silent animals. 

Hans, the Shepherd Boy. — For effective dialogue 
the children must become accustomed to the sound 
of their own voices, at a distance and near each other. 
They must begin, too, to consider how emotions are 
shown in speech, gesture, and expression : practising 
here with Hans' reluctance and the hunter's amuse- 
ment, then Hans' fright and the Prince's gracious 
kindness. No dramatic device is more popular with 
children than that of a king in disguise ; no climax 
more appreciated than the surprise at his revelation. 

The Story that had no End. — In the earlier stories 
there has been no demand on the child for original 
composition. Acting, speaking, and the mechanical 
devices of the play have occupied his attention. 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 233 

Here, with a situation most familiar to children, that 
of a story-teller with his listeners, they begin to use 
their creative instinct. They may introduce new 
silent characters ; they must plan to have persons 
come to tell stories. Now they will be ^^making a 
play ^' ; but the hard parts, the beginning and end, 
are done for them. 

This call for originality is made early in the book 
to remind both pupils and teacher not to follow the 
story too literally. The teacher should emphasize 
from the first that the exact words of the conversa- 
tions need not be used if the spirit is kept. Other- 
wise the dramatization may become memory work, 
devoid of spontaneity. 

The Brahman, the Tiger, and the Six Judges. — It 
will be noticed that the stories alternate, so far as 
possible, between using few and many members of 
the class. The teacher will need to guard against 
the temptation to have the best actors perform again 
and again, and to rehearse for a perfect result. The 
children should plan the play themselves, with the 
teacher always watching and waiting to slip in un- 
obtrusive words of counsel and to bridge over hard 
places. To do this she must have "^ lived '^ the 
story through in her own mind ; but she will find 
herself keeping her plan in the background while 
she develops the ideas of the children. Nor will she 
find it necessary to be fully prepared beforehand. 



234 DRAMATIC READINGS 

The response of the children to the story will be her 
inspiration, often turning her thoughts into new 
channels. 

This story will tax the children's ingenuity as to 
locating the characters, but it has no other prob- 
lems. In a play which is as definite in structure as 
this, it will be possible to have two or three ^^ casts '' 
on successive days. 

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey. — Groups of 
passers-by and onlookers give the class the feeling 
that every one is included in each dramatization. 
Later some will have their share as audience ; until 
they are more experienced, they feel their part more 
vividly as silent actors. 

It will be noted that each of these tales is worth 
while in itself, with its ^^ point /' of ethics or fun 
which the children will be quick to see and ap- 
preciate. 

A Visit to the Water Babies. — What is this but 
^^ playing school '^ under a new guise? The teacher 
will do well to show how truly she enters into the 
spirit of the game by taking herself the part of 
^^ Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did.^' 

The King of the Cats. — The '' Helps for Drama- 
tization '^ will give the teacher the keynote for each 
story. She will have slipped naturally into asking 
questions, with the children and of them, concerning 
the people^ place, and incidents. Now notice that 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 235 

there are two times; but the time is changed in a 
story where there is only one place. Notice, too, 
that we speak for the first time of properties in the 
place — two chairs, a table ; but we do not call 
them properties yet. They are only ^^ things '^ that 
belong to the story. 

For the first time we introduce into the acting 
moods J the moods of the two brothers, as they change 
in the story. This is a distinct step forward in 
dramatization, but it will be so natural that the 
children will hardly realize it. 

Fables in Verse. — These fables and nonsense 
rhymes are put in for the teacher's help. By this 
time she will have found out certain lines along 
which the children are weak. Perhaps it is in dia- 
logue ; perhaps in gesture, in quickness, in contrast 
and in climax, or in developing a storj by questions. 
These bright verses give an opportunity to review 
each point. 

The Boy who Wondered. — By this time the 
children ought to be able to work out all but the 
last scene without much help. The teacher will 
probably have to offer suggestions to make it a uni- 
fied and effective climax. She will find, as the work 
progresses, that some things which seem obstacles 
to her mind are trifies over which the ready imagina- 
tion of the child leaps without a pause. That is 
why she does well to hold herself in reserve. Some 



236 DRAMATIC READINGS 

problems she must help in solving ; others she will 
never have to meet. 

How the Indian got Fire. — The first part of this 
story is a deliberate review ; the second^ a test of the 
ingenuity already developed in using the schoolroom 
as a stage ; the third; an exercise of the creative 
faculty. 

It is never well to force any of these* issues. The 
stories are here waiting for another trial if the first 
proves unsuccessful. A scene which disappoints an 
adult will often be a success from the child^s point of 
view. If a play does not develop all its possibilities, 
leave it and let the class come back to it when they 
have had larger experience. 

Prudent Hans. — A lesson in clever dialogue and 
effective facial expression and gesture. Here in 
this simple tale we find our chance to discuss 
properties. 

Alice's Adventures with the Queens. — A real 
story-play, into which the children can put hard 
work. It uses all the points made ; it includes boys 
and girls, speakers and silent actors ; and is bright 
and entertaining without making too heavy demands 
on the young actors. Read it aloud ; reread it with 
different children reading the parts ; then plan the 
acting. Even after the children have tried it once/ 
let them reread it with the new point of view which 
their acting will give them. 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 237 

A Stone in the Road. — Another story for the 
children to plan. The first scene^ without a word 
spoken^ can be made very effective ; the last is really 
dramatic. 

Mr. Wind and Madam Rain. — Occasionally boys 
and girls like to try something that is a little beyond 
them. To do the ordinary and conventional does not 
always bring out their best powers. Let them try 
this and see what they make of it. 

How a Girl Hid a Governor. — This story is 
wholly within the powers of the children. Let them 
make a play out of it; which can be given on some 
patriotic occasion. 

PART II 

Thus far we have limited our material and our ef- 
forts to certain simple methods and effects. We have 
tried to follow the natural development of the dra- 
matic in the child's mind^ which parallels^ as it is in- 
teresting to notice; the history of the drama from its 
beginning in church ceremonials^ and puppet plays 
through pageant scenes to more highly organized pro- 
ductions. We begin with pantomime^ and speech 
which explains itself and involves no special shades of 
meanings and go on through simple dialogue^ which has 
been described as '' interrupted speech," to conversa- 
tions involving real powers of expression. From types 
for our personages — a lion^ a hear, a man^ a boy — 



238 DRAMATIC READINGS 

we come through the moods of the brothers and of the 
queens of ^^ AHce in Wonderland ^^ to the girl and the 
governor^ whose speech and acts must show the emo- 
tions which they feel. The mechanical devices of 
dramatization have also been covered, and the 
children are familiar with the methods of analyzing 
a story and building up from it a set of scenes. 

Now both children and teacher are ready to go 
further, though the children will do it without much 
consciousness of change. Types will change to per- 
sonalities ; individuals will stand out and demand 
recognition ; the fine touches of the story and the 
details of the action will come in for attention. For 
this careful study, as also for the earlier stories, the 
best literature has been selected. The teacher will 
find her opportunity in helping (by her questions and 
suggestions) the children to see the scenes vividly 
and to translate them into action. Now the actors 
must live the people as well as the story. In these 
stories, too, there is more left for them to do in 
creating the play. For all this the earher work 
will have so prepared them that they will slip into 
it easily. 

How England found Her King. — The first scene 
will probably be worked out by a reading of the proc- 
lamation, with some announcement by a herald. 
The old English idea of a prologue often makes a 
convenient device for presenting facts or introducing 



NOTES TO TEACHERS 239 

characters. In developing these scenes the teacher 
will realize with relief the advantage which the chil- 
dren have a right to take in their dramatizations, 
from the fact that they all know the story. Let 
them act as much of it as they can easily, but do not 
be strict to have every point brought in, as it would 
have to be before an outside audience or in a book 
where each story was presented only in its drama- 
tized form. 

King Arthur scenes call out chivalry, courtesy, 
and dignity. Boys will stand straight, doff their 
caps, and ^' speak fair '^ as knights, when it would 
be hard to suggest such things to them as school- 
boys. 

The Necklace of Truth gives the girls a chance, and 
a very good chance, too. Here individuals develop, 
not merely types. 

The Miller of the Dee. — Always a charming 
poem, however used. 

The Just Judge gives an opportunity for discrim- 
inating character portrayal. Bou-Akas, the cripple, 
and the judge are all excellent parts. Our scenes 
are always too short to allow for much development of 
character during the period allowed. To take the 
place of this feature of real drama, such a role as 
that of the cripple is introduced. In playing a part 
throughout, he allows quick changes of manner and 
bearing. 



240 DRAMATIC READINGS 

Keeping Shop is a selection well worth careful 
study, for its language, its historical period, and its 
character sketches. The first scene is practically 
prepared for the young actors ; the second offers 
great possibilities. 

A Boy's Friendship has less action or plot than 
almost any other story, but gives the best of practice 
in good reading and acting. 

The Emperor's Bird's-Nest. — Story-telling verses 
containing dramatic scenes are given for variety and 
also to suggest to the pupils that they watch in their 
reading for other scenes which they might act. Talk 
over with the class what it is that makes a scene 
draniatic. The characters must present themselves 
through their action and tell their story through dia- 
logue. Show how action can illustrate speech. The 
Emperor might remark in a level tone, ^' Leave it 
standing.'' Instead he speaks the words ^^ very 
curtly." It is impossible to read them without im- 
agining a gesture of command as he gives the order to 
his men. There you have illustrative action, which 
is the distinguishing element of drama. 

When Rip Van Winkle Came Home. — The 
teacher will do well to read other parts of the story 
to the class, filling in the background which will make 
them appreciate this scene. 

Scenes from Pinocchio. — In dramatizing a story 
of this kind, we must be satisfied if there is only a 



• NOTES TO TEACHERS 241 

thread of plot and action. The samp instinct that 
made the audiences of the Middle Ages delight in 
the long '^ gests ^^ of Robin Hood and Havelok the 
Dane, is satisfied in the children by a succession of 
episodes in the life of a hero. 

A Strange Visitor. — Another scene from literature 
which it is worth while for the children to study and 
know well; especially as they always enjoy it. 

The Beggar's Daughter of Bethnal Green. — To 
make up a book of dramatic stories without any 
romance would be to leave out an important and de- 
lightful element. This pretty story has all the 
charm of a romantic plot in a mediseval setting which 
gives it beauty, dignity, and restraint. Notice that 
neither of the young people acts for himself. The 
daughter is represented by her father ; the knight; 
by his kinsmen. 

Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh. — A 
scene which calls into play the favorite ^^ imaginings '' 
of children, of queens, courts, and cavaliers. Help 
them to get the true spirit of the incident. 

Harmosan. — A most dramatic scene. The bind- 
ing power of a king's word is always an inspiring 
thought. 

Washington and the Spy. — Cooper's long, slow 
descriptions and his stilted language give just the 
atmosphere which the children wish to create for 
such a scene. 



242 DRAMATIC READINGS 

PART III 

King John and the Abbot. — This is not an elabo- 
rate play, but a dramatization, purposely simple/ 
of a familiar tale. Boys and girls who have studied 
this book might make such a play from any of the 
later stories or from other stories which this collec- 
tion will help them to recognize in literature. 



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